The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, who lost his senatorial bid has said that “The Peter Obi effect” was one of the major reasons his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the March 18 governorship election in the state.
Ikpeazu’s preferred candidate, Okey Ahiwe, lost the Abia governorship election to Alex Otti of Labour Party. Ahiwe replaced PDP’s original candidate Uche Ikonne, who died weeks to the election.
On his part, Ikpeazu lost his bid to represent Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to the incumbent Senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
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On Thursday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ikpeazu said he predicted “The Peter Obi effect” at the poll and had warned his party about it.
“That Peter Obi effect, I predicted it and told my party. I even volunteered that reasonable politicians should not ignore what Peter Obi was doing,” he said.
The governor said he never personally campaigned against the former Anambra State governor as all he wanted was a president from the southern region of the country.
On Peter Obi’s effect after the election, Ikpeazu said, “What would happen going forward will be determined by how Peter Obi manages the groundswell of support that he had gathered. How is he going to funnel this towards an agenda that can eventually materialise in his dream?”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
