The Nigeria Right Now (NRN) crew led by Mr Dickson Iroegbu has presented an award of excellence to the outgoing governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu as the ‘Best Governor South East’.
The award event which took place on the 4th of February, 2023 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center Abuja could not be handed over to Ikpeazu owing to his busy electioneering campaign schedule at the time. The award plaque was presented to him in Umuahia Abia State on 28th May, 2023 few hours to handing over to a new administration.
Despite criticisms for his performance as governor in the last eight years, Iroegbu gave reasons for selecting Ikpeazu for Best Governor award.
“Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is being conferred with this award for ‘Best Governor South East’ because of his value for human life. Abia State today in the South East is the most peaceful State. Crime rate in Abia State is the lowest for the eight years of Okezie’s administration. From the humanitarian persepective, our interest is that the value for human life executed by Okezie’s government earned him the award for Best Governor. South East which used to be the most peaceful geopolitical zone in Nigeria is today ranked the second most volatile area in Nigeria. This is to encourage value for human life. A nation where people are slaughtered everyday and government continues as though nothing happened, we recognize Dr Victor Okezie Ikpeazu as Best Governor South East Nigeria 2023. For those who have been asking for reason, this is the reason. This award is deliberate to encourage protection and value for lives and property. Governance is first of all about security and welfare of the people. If these two key areas was attained by the Okezie’s administration, then he deserves the award. We must build a nation where there is value for human lives. Buhari is exiting the stage today as a former president with the blood of Nigerians on his hands. Governor Okezie can stand up today and tell Abians that there is no blood on his hands. We cannot promote power from the premise of violence and extremism. Any government that enforces extremism against her people should not in any way be recognized as a successful government. This is our take and this is deliberate. May Nigeria win!”
Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is handing over to Dr Alex Otti of the Labour Party to continue as the governor of Abia State amidst high expectations.
