ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Chief John Kalu, the Director of Strategic Engagement for the Abia State Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Council, has revealed why Governor Okezie Ikpeazu failed to attend the party’s governorship rally in Enugu State.
According to him, Ikpeazu could not make it because he was still mourning the death of the Abia governorship candidate, Prof Uche Ikonne.
The mega rally was held in Enugu on Friday to officially set the ball rolling for the state Governor and candidate for the Enugu-North Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The rally was attended by G-5 Governors: Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State; and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Ikpeazu, who is also a member of the political group, was conspicuously absent, which fueled the speculation that he might have left the group.
The G-5, a group of five PDP governors led by Wike, are in war with the national leadership of the party for not honoring what it called ‘the agreement to return power to the South’.
Clarifying the speculation, Kalu, in a Saturday statement made available, said Ikpeazu was still mourning Ikonne and would not be attending any political event till Monday.
The statement read in part: “As a mark of honour to our dear departed brother, Ikpeazu directed that all flags in Abia State PDP offices be lowered and flown at half-mast while all campaign activities for the party at all levels be suspended until Monday, January 30, 2023.
“Governor Ikpeazu, in particular, every well-meaning member of our political family (PDP) and, indeed, Abians, in general, are not in any mood for any political gathering at this point.”