The Deputy Governor of Abia State Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu has sent a message of felicitations to the people of Abia State on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the return to democratic governance in Nigeria and Abia State.
Sir Oko Chukwu used the occasion to reassure Abians that the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is in stable health and will soon resume fully at the helm of affairs of Abia State. According to him “I am in constant touch with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and he is in good spirits. He is only observing the mandatory isolation period prescribed by the National Centre for Disease Control for those who test positive to Coronavirus. At the end of the mandatory isolation period, our dear Governor will return to full duty to continue to steer the affairs of Abia State”.
In a statement made available to the press by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Obasi Okibe Onwuka, he commended the Governor for his transparency and openness with his health status and assured him of the prayers and support of the people of Abia State for his speedy recovery.
The Deputy Governor called on Abians to continue to take the Coronavirus Pandemic seriously while calling on them to continue to adhere to the prevention protocols outlined by the State COVID-19 Committee as regularly updated by the Secretary to the State Government.
Sir Oko Chukwu used the occasion to thank God for the political stability that Abia State has enjoyed over the years and commended the people of the State for their political maturity and sagacity over the years which has created the enabling environment for the growth of key democratic institutions in the State.
The Deputy Governor also felicitated with the Legislative and Judicial Arm of Government on this milestone and urged them to continue in the path which has seen uncommon harmony between the different arms of Government in Abia State over the years.
“Abia State”, according to Sir Oko Chukwu, “is a model state for the inter-relation of key democratic institutions which has seen to enviable growth and stability. We have enjoyed uncommon harmony between all arms of Government in Abia State. We have a stable Legislature which works in harmony with the Executive even while effectively carrying out its constitutional duty of oversight. The Judiciary too has enjoyed stability with seamless successions and enviable track record of landmark judgments. Looking back over the years, we have a lot to be thankful for seeing how far we have come”.
Sir Oko Chukwu charged contractors who are handling the various ongoing road and other infrastructural projects in Abia State to intensify efforts at completing the projects within the stipulated time frame while assuring Abians that the Ikpeazu administration is committed more than ever before, to bequeath to Abians, a legacy of impact, transformation and democratic best-practices.
The Deputy Governor used the occasion to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and the people of Nigeria as well as the Peoples Democratic Party for the role they have played in strengthening Nigerian Democracy from 1999 till date.