…says PDP Will Decimate APC In Abia North Come 2023
Chief J.J Okoro is the immediate past Commissioner for Special Duties and Joint Projects in Abia State. In this interview with NewsCritics online, following the dissolution of the state executive council by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Chief J.J Okoro expresses his appreciation to the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve. He says he is available and willing to work for the state under the present administration of Dr Ikpeazu, who he described as a good and hardworking governor. Chief Okoro also stressed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will decimate the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia North come 2023. Excerpts:
Q: Abia State Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has announced the dissolution of the state executive council, how do you feel about this now?
A: I feel alright about the dissolution of the cabinet because in the first place, His Excellency the governor and my boss has the inalienable right to dissolve the Exco that he constituted for reasons best known to him. So, I think it’s in order and It’s not peculiar to Abia state alone. All over the country, the governor has the right to dissolve and reconstitute his cabinet maybe to reinvigorate it for better productivity.
So, I want to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency for the opportunity given me to serve the state and to translate his vision into reality, towards enhancing the living conditions of ndi Abia. I feel great and honoured for the opportunity.
Q: During the announcement following the dissolution of the state Exco the outgoing commissioners were asked to hand-over to their respective permanent secretaries. We’ll like to know if you have complied with this particular directive?
A: Talking about hand-over, yes, the process of handing over is going on right now. This is the third day the announcement was made, and it will be completed any moment from now. Luckily enough the various departmental heads in my ministry, the management staff they are all cooperating in making sure there is a smooth hand-over by me to the permanent secretary. So, it’s almost concluded.
Q: So, what are your candid expectations now that the state Exco has been dissolved and you are no more a commissioner?
A: My expectations are in the hands of God who created me, who charts the way of men, it’s in His hands. The future is very bright. I’m still ready and willing to serve Abia State under this present government, but if it does not happen and the opportunity did not come forth for me to still serve under this government, I’ll continue to pray and support Gov Okezie Ikpeazu. My governor is a very good man, a hardworking governor, so I’ll continue to pray that this next executive council that will be constituted will ensure they leave Abia better than they met it.
Also, my good wishes go to the governor and the people of Abia at all times. Let me also add that I’m available to serve if the opportunity comes again, if it doesn’t, we will continue the struggle to make sure that PDP returns in 2023 to continue with the good works they are doing in Abia state. So, I’m a PDP member and will continue to support the government of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.
Q: Abia North where you come from appears to be the stronghold of the All Progressives Congress, APC, with the presence of a lot of political bigwigs and 2023 governorship is around the corner. How do you see the contest between the PDP and APC?
A: I want to say unequivocally that Abians feel better under PDP government, and Abia will remain a PDP state. There is no doubt that the PDP will return to power again come 2023, irrespective of the social media activities embarked upon by APC and their leader. When you look at APC from the national to the state, in the first place the party is factionalised in Abia, it has about three factions. Again, one senatorial district Abia North that you mentioned does not make you win governorship election. There are Abia Central and Abia South, but let me tell you that by 2023 PDP will decimate APC in Abia North.
We are working hard and strategizing at the same time, PDP will win the governorship again. By the grace of God, the next governor of Abia state will come from Abia North. What they are doing is a social media gimmick and it will not last, very soon APC will crumble like a pack of cards.
Therefore, in thanking Governor Ikpeazu, I’ll also like to use this opportunity to thank my colleagues in the dissolved Exco, and to say it was a learning process. The cooperation, the love among each other and willingness to assist one another was unparallel. So, I want to thank members of the dissolved exco, and the SSG, he was too helpful to the ministries, and I thank him for his immense contribution towards the success of the ministries. I wish my colleagues well wherever they may find themselves. For me, we’ll continue to work hard towards making Abia great.
