As political office holders seek re-election in the forthcoming elections, Abia State is not left out as the people of Old Bende in the Stateon Fridaygave the governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, a clean bill of health as regards his performance in office and consequently adopted him as consensus candidate for 2019 gubernatorial elections.

A communiqué issued on the occasion of grand civic reception held in honour of the governor, at the event centre in Umuahia, the entire people of Old Bende in a voice vote said they are satisfied with the performance of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu in the last 3 years he has presided over the affairs of Abia State and that they have resolved to and do hereby pass a vote of unequivocal confidence in his leadership and administration.

That the entire people of Old Bende do hereby, without hesitation, adopt Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as their consensus candidate for the 2019 governorship election in Abia State.

They urged all governorship candidates of Old Bende origin to jettison any plans of contesting for the governorship of Abia State in the 2019 governorship elections in Abia State.

They assured Ikpeazu of their bloc votes at the 2019 governorship elections, adding: “That when it is time to reciprocate this gesture, we have no doubt that the people of Ukwa/Ngwa will do the needful.”

The communiqué and the consensus arrived on the following premise: “Whereas the People of Old Bende spanning from the ancient civilisation of Arochukwu to the Warrior clans of Ohafia and Bende, the marshlands of Isuikwuato to the hills of Umunneochi, the agrarian communities of Ikwuano to the indefatigable political titans of Umuahia North and culminating in the dynamic people of Umuahia South have always shared a destiny bound by indelible history and dexterous political alignment.

“Whereas titans of Old Bende extraction were in the forefront of the creation of Abia State expending financial, material and sagacious resources to guarantee the actualisation of the dream of the creation of Abia State.

“Whereas the Old Bende people have enjoyed a fair share of political power in Abia State and the people of Old Bende have always shared a bond of political consanguinity and affinity with their brothers from Ukwa/Ngwa.

“Whereas it was this historic bond that necessitated the people of Old Bende agreeing en masse and indeed, working assiduously to ensure that a son of Ukwa/Ngwa emerged Governor of Abia State in 2015 in consonance with the Spirit of equity.

“And whereas, having observed the leadership strides of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu from 2015 till date, the people of Old Bende are more than impressed by the depth of dynamism and sagacity he has brought to governance in Abia State and does not have any cause to regret supporting him for the governorship of Abia State in 2015.

“Whereas, his massive infrastructural development drive has been a beauty to behold coupled with his indefatigable strides in other sectors of the Abia economy.

“Whereas Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has taken great steps to develop the Old Bende axis with verifiable projects that have improved the living standards of the people of Old Bende. Whereas Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has given hope to the people of Old Bende and Abians in general that as morning shows the day, his early strides have enamoured hope of a glorious future for Abia State.”