by Ranti Joseph

Well, as the regular practice that an incoming administration becomes a puppet or stooge to the past administration that helped them into power, the Abia State Governor-elect, Okezie Ikpeazu, has given indication that he will not be a stooge of the outgoing governor, Theodore Orji, who was instrumental to his emergence.

Ikpeazu, who disclosed this in an interview with Punch, said he would not allow Orji, his acclaimed benefactor, to dictate to him when he takes over power.

“I want to assure Abians that there is no one example of a sitting governor that is under the influence of his predecessor. Everybody is aware that Bola Tinubu supported Tunde Fashola.

“We are also aware that Governor Peter Obi supported Willie Obiano and if in the midst of my struggle that I got the endorsement of the incumbent governor among others, I think I will say thank you to him for supporting me but that is where it stops.

“No person will attempt to dictate to a sitting governor. It is a very difficult thing to do. And I pray that nobody attempts it here and I am not that kind of candidate. And for those who say it, I regard them as enemies of progress because their fears are unfounded.

“Their fears have no historical support and cannot be substantiated. Because I don’t see anything around me that suggests the fact that I will allow another person’s signature on the document that I have drafted.

“So what you are going to see in Abia State in the days ahead will be my stamp and my authority, and I will take full responsibility for my actions and inactions. His administration will end on May 29 and I will take over.

“When history will be written, I won’t be allowed to make apologies for things I did not do. Orji won’t have any influence whatsoever on me apart from the fact that he is going to the senate. If I’m consulting senators and there are three of them, I will consult him along with the other two,” he said.

He stated that whatever happened between orji and his predecessor won’t happen to him because he would place Orji where he belongs and accord him the necessary respect.

“I am a very positive person but I also know that wherever there is life, people should also consider death. I think that Governor Orji is a gentleman. I don’t think he is going to attempt to be overbearing. And I’m not going to be disrespectful just as I won’t be disrespectful to all elders in Abia State. I will place him where he belongs, accord him respect as a former governor.
“If I need advice, I will seek his advice as a former governor. If he gives me an advice, it is my responsibility to decipher and choose whether or not I will make use of it. If I don’t take his advice, I don’t think he will be angry because he knows that the bulk stops at my table. I assure Abians that I will not brew trouble where it doesn’t exist. I don’t envisage any problem between us,” he added.