The clamour for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to contest the 2019 Governorship election in the state has received further boost as the people of Arochukwu Local Government Area threw their weight behind Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and called on him to run for a second term in office.
They made their stand known at a grand declaration ceremony tagged “Honour Beyond Words” held for the Governor at Aggrey Memorial Primary School, Ibom Arochukwu.
In his address, the chairman of the Central Organising committee, Sir Donatus Okorie, expressed appreciation to the governor for his developmental strides in the local government despite not winning in the local government during the 2015 general elections.
He also commended Governor Ikpeazu for appointing many sons and daughters of the local government in his cabinet and administration.
He however, drew the governor’s attention to some of the pressing needs of the area, especially the completion of the Abam-Arochukwu link road and sinking of boreholes at the Ututu Cottage hospital and Ututu Courts and Police Station.
Okorie also informed the governor that the military personnel attached to Isu community have been withdrawn, thereby increasing the tension and security threat to the people of the area who were recently engaged in border clashes with their neighbors from another state.
In their separate speeches, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Hon. Uko Nkole and other stakeholders praised the governor for his sterling performance in office and called on the people to ensure his re-election through the ballot in 2019.
In his response, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu admitted that there is need for more development projects in the local government and assured that he will work with the representatives of the constituency to achieve that.
He assured that other issues raised by the people would be tackled, especially ensuring that the boundary crisis involving Arochukwu, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers states is decisively tackled to ensure lasting peace.
The Governor also promised that he will ensure that the military personnel that were withdrawn are quickly restored to safeguard the people.
Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, among other top government functionaries, accompanied to the Governor on the visit.