..As bizman heeds Gov’s call to invest in state
From Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia and Fred Itua, Abuja
Some political leaders from Abia State have decried the growing tension in the state following a recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuka, which invalidated the election of Okezie Ikpeazu.
The leaders said the refusal of the governor to democratically hand over power to Dr. Uche Ogah who had already been issued a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), might snowball into political crises in the state.
Arising from an emergency meeting in Abuja, the Abia leaders who converged under the aegis of Ndigbo Bu-Otu Union, said in a communique that Nigerians had expected the governor to take the “path of honour, apologise for his misdeeds and immediately quit office for Dr. Ogah as ordered by the High Court.”
President of the union, Mazi Igwekala Leo Ugomaduefule who spoke on behalf of the other leaders, said: “Since the High Court has given its decision, without prejudice to his right to appeal, Governor Ikpeazu should hand over to Dr. Ogah, whom the court ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to having emerged second during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary.
“We are deeply concerned that Dr. Ikpeazu’s neglect or refusal to obey the High Court order is gradually building up tension across the state, and this is giving all members of the union a cause for concern.
“The Chief Judge of the Federation should equally cooperate with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to ensure that Abia Chief Judge performs his constitutional responsibility unhindered by swearing in Dr. Ogah immediately. We are equally calling on the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately withdraw all security details attached to Ikpeazu, since in the eye of the law, he is no longer the legitimate governor of Abia state.
“We are therefore passionately appealing to Dr. Ikpeazu to give peace a chance by handing over to Dr. Ogah as directed by the court in the interest of the entire people of Abia state.”
Meanwhile, in response to the call by the Governor Ikpeazu to Abians to come home and invest, and industrialist, Chief Chris Odinaka Igwe said he has imported about 1.5 million high breed cashew seedlings to feed an indigenous Cashew Processing Factory in Umuogele, Amuda Isuochi, Umunneochi LGA.
Igwe, who is the Managing Director of Chrisnak Group of Companies said he decided to invest in Abia to create employment and boost the economy in line with the dreams of the governor. He lauded the governor for providing a conducive environment for business to thrive. in the state adding that the cashew plantation is located in his home town, Umuogele Amuda Isuochi, in Umunneochi LGA.
The industrialist, who spoke through his farm Manager, Mr Chukwu A. Chidiebere at the cite of the cashew plantation at Umuogele Amuda, the manager, disclosed that the company has imported its 1.5millon seedlings from Brazil and it’s called High Breed Cashew.
He said that the High Breed Cashew is different from other existing cashew seedlings in the area, and that it grows and produces fruits within 18 Months .
According to him the fruits will soon be processing in the Cashew Processing Factory and its by-product exported (Chemicals), and others sold to Nigerians.
The Manager said further that Igwe will soon unveil other investment plans he has for Abia State and called on other well-meaning Abians to come home and invest so as to help the Governor Ikpeazu to move the state forward.