“Fmr Gov. Ikpeazu, Associates, Planning To Rig 2027 Election” – Abia Govt Alleges

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Labour Party controlled Abia State Government, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, accused the immediate past Governor of the State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of engaging in illegal political campaigns ahead of the 2027 polls.

The allegation is coming against the backdrop of  PDP’s earlier accusation that the State Government is forcefully breaking its stakeholders meeting held  at the country home of the former Governor in Umuobiakwa community ,Obingwa loc3al Council of the state.

In a statement issued by its State Chairman Comrade Abraham Amah, the PDP alleged that the State Special Security outfit, Operation Crush, had last week, invaded and disrupted a meeting of former political appointees under Governor Ikpeazu at a primary school very close to the residence of the former Governor.

According to the PDP Chairman, the relocation of the meeting venue to a private facility did not stop the security operatives, whom it said acted on the directives of the Abia State Government, from further violently disrupting the gathering.

The Source reports that the former Governor who presided over the affairs of Abia State on the platform of the now embattled PDP between 2015 and 2023, had summoned a parley of political office holders who served in his administration, and associates to take stock of the political situation in the State.

However, the meeting was said to have been dispersed by operatives of the special security outfit of the state.

But in a statement on Tuesday from the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kalu, the State Government condemned the decision of the former  Governor and his acolytes in convening what it described as a politically charged gathering at his residence .

“This assembly featuring his former aides, political associates, and a cross section of locals, was not only ill-timed, but clearly violates constitutional provisions, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, guidelines regulating political campaigns in Nigeria.

“Though Dr Ikpeazu fell short of formally declaring his political ambition ,his direct instruction to his audience to deliver their booths and units during upcoming elections unmistakably signals the start of political campaigns an act that constitutes a breach of INEC’s established rules .

“He went further to make a veiled comment on his expertise in election rigging, forgetting that it failed him in the 2023 Senatorial race where he placed a distant third (3rd) .

As a Government anchored on the principles of rule of law, democratic values, and respect for citizens’ right to free speech and association, we acknowledge the former Governor’s right to express himself.

“However, we must emphasize that such rights must be exercised responsibly and strictly within the bounds of the law.

“It is, therefore, preposterous that Dr Ikpeazu chose to exploit this illegal platform not only to mobilize politically ,but also to launch a vicious tirade of misinformation and attacks against the current administration

“Such reckless commentary not only disrespects the office he once held ,but also has the dangerous potentials of inciting unrest, and destabilizing the peace Abians currently enjoy”, the Abia State Government stated.

Government further described the conduct of the immediate past Governor as unbecoming of someone who ordinarily should understand the implications and weight of his words and actions to the peace and stability of the state .

This is as the Government warned that it will no longer tolerate any attempt by anybody or group under any guise to indulge in illegal political campaigns in the state .

“While Government frowns at this irresponsible behaviour by the former Governor and his co- travelers, we want to issue a final warning that the ban on campaigns have not been lifted, and any one campaigning now is breaking the law ,and trying to heat up the polity .Government will not sit idly by and allow that to happen.”