The Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of Catholic Diocese of Aba has said that their consensus decision to endorse the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for second tenure from 2019, is as a result of the achievements of the Governor, which they described as ‘tremendous’.
Speaking on behalf of 30,000 CWO members spread across 73 parishes in Aba, at the 2018 CWO Day held at the Christ the King Cathedral (CKC), Aba, at the weekend, the President, Aba Diocesan Catholic Women Organization (ADCWO), Lady Gloria Odochi Odor, in her welcome address said that the women found the Governor worthy of their endorsement because of his laudable achievements in the state.
“We make bold to announce that in Dr Okezie Ikpeazu we found a genius, transparent, hardworking man with a heart of gold.
“Aba was perceived by some people as a dead town. The level of infrastructural decay was alarming. When Dr Okezie Ikpeazu stepped in as governor of Abia State, irrespective of long litigations, his touch made a difference. When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. We rejoice because we can now drive smoothly on the roads you built for us.
“Your laudable achievements during this three years of tribulations speak volume. We are proud of you, our Great Achiever. In me sector of trade, commence and industry, made in Aba products is recognized and accepted.
“The rapid development in Abia State under the administration of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu proves that this governor is prayer answered, we have not had it so good.
“Based on the tremendous achievements of our dear Governor within this short space of time in Abia, in particular Aba, I on behalf of the entire Catholic Women of Aba Dioceses, stand to here today, 14th July, 2018, to announce the decision of CWO from 74 parishes of the Dioceses Aba to endorse Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for re-election in 2019, without any reservation.”
In his response, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the Catholic women for their support and implored them to continue to pray for him and members of his team as they continue to pilot the affairs of the state.
“I can’t thank the CWO of Aba Dioceses enough for this endorsement. I have received endorsements from various groups, this particular one is different. Catholic women are not a political group, therefore nobody will say that this endorsement is politically induced. I am not a Catholic, so nobody will also say that you have endorsed one of your own by faith. Therefore, I cherish this particular endorsement and it will spur me to work harder all my days as governor. I ask you to continue to pray for us to take the right decisions for the good of our people and development of our state.”
Governor Ikpeazu also thanked the women for their commendation of his achievements, and told them that they should expect more work from him.
Wife of the Governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Rt. Hon. Uzo Azubuike, Commissioner for Petroleum, Hon. Chizuru Kanu, a PDP chieftain, Ochiagha Regan Ufomba, Chief Greg Esotu, the chairmen of Aba North, Hon. Stanley Ogbonna, Aba South, Emmanuel Emereuwa, Isialangwa South, Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku, Bende, Chief Gabriel Elendu, and Hon. Blessing Nwagba were among dignitaries that accompanied the Governor to the event.
