The Abia State government has accused former Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu of allegedly creating political tension in the state through his utterances at his private residence in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA.
The state government in a statement on Tuesday, said the gathering featured his former aides, political associates, and a cross-section of locals.
The statement which was signed by Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu said the meeting convened by Ikpeazu was ill-timed and violated constitutional provisions and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines regulating political campaigns in Nigeria.
The Commissioner noted that though Ikpeazu did not formally declare his political ambition, his direct instruction to his audience to “deliver their booths and units”; during upcoming elections unmistakably signals the start of a political campaign, an act Kanu said, constitutes a breach of INEC’s established rules.
Abia government while urging the former Governor to exercise his rights of speech and association strictly under the law, said his recent conducts were unbecoming of a former Governor and were capable of incitements that could destabilize the peace in the State.
“It is, therefore, preposterous that Dr Ikpeazu chose to exploit this illegal platform not only to mobilize politically but also to launch a vicious tirade of misinformation and attacks against the current administration. Such reckless commentary not only disrespects the office he once held but also has the dangerous potential of inciting unrest and destabilizing the peace Abians currently enjoy.
“We want to issue a final warning that the ban on campaigns has not been lifted and any one campaigning now is breaking the law and trying to heat up the polity. The government will not sit idly by and allow that to happen”;
