Former Abia Governor Ikpeazu Reflects On Tenure: ‘I Never Promised To Solve All Problems’.
Former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has clarified that he never pledged to resolve all of the state’s challenges during his eight-year tenure from 2015 to 2023. Speaking to journalists in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa Local Government Area, Ikpeazu emphasised that his administration focused on modest, realistic goals, achieving progress in human capital development and infrastructure.
“I don’t regret anything because I was very humble and modest in my manifesto and in my social contract with the people of Abia,” Ikpeazu stated. “I never promised that I would be able to do everything. The summary of my promise was that I was going to move Abia from where it was at that time to a better place.”
Ikpeazu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), highlighted key achievements during his governorship, including the construction of over 220 roads, 650 classroom blocks, and the provision of over 50 overseas scholarships for Abia youths. He also noted training 30 shoemakers in China as part of his administration’s youth empowerment initiatives. “One of them is life expectancy—it was better in my time. Poverty index—it was better in my time,” he claimed, urging that his tenure be judged by the parameters he set.
The former governor’s comments come amid ongoing debates about his administration’s legacy, particularly following criticisms from his successor, Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party. Otti has accused Ikpeazu’s government of financial mismanagement, notably alleging that N10 billion allocated for an airport project was diverted to road construction. Ikpeazu refuted these claims, clarifying that his vision was for a trade port rather than a conventional airport, citing financial constraints in maintaining such a facility. “Right from the outset, we were thinking about a trade port… Abia doesn’t have money to sustain an airport,” he explained in a video posted on X.
However, Ikpeazu’s tenure has faced scrutiny. The Abia State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has highlighted significant unpaid salary arrears inherited by Otti’s administration, including 22 months for Abia State University of Technology staff, 33 months for Abia Polytechnic staff, and up to 17 months for other state workers. Critics, including Aba South constituency lawmaker Hon. Obinna Ichita, have also accused Ikpeazu of making unfulfilled promises, such as an automatic promotion for civil servants announced near the end of his term, which Ichita dismissed as a “fake promise.”
Despite these criticisms, Ikpeazu maintained that his administration laid a solid foundation for progress. In a statement at the end of his tenure in May 2023, he expressed fulfilment, stating, “The son of a teacher and a nurse who rose to become Governor of Abia State and who did his best for his people. My story offers hope to all Abians.” He also vowed not to engage in disputes with predecessors or successors, a policy he credited for maintaining socio-political stability in Abia during his tenure.
As Abia continues to navigate economic and infrastructural challenges, Ikpeazu’s reflections underscore the complexities of governance in the state. His successor, Governor Otti, has prioritised transparency and infrastructure development, commissioning 14 new road projects in June 2025. The ongoing discourse around Ikpeazu’s legacy highlights the need for accountability and sustainable progress in Abia’s development.
