Former Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has denied reports alleging his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and involvement in the diversion of ₦1.9 trillion. In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Enyinnaya Appolo, Dr. Ikpeazu reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing his attendance at a recent party stakeholders’ meeting on November 18, 2025. The statement disputed a newspaper’s claim of his defection to the APC in April 2024, suggesting that a simple verification with party officials or public records would have clarified his party affiliation.

Regarding the allegations of diverting ₦1.9 trillion, the statement described the report as inaccurate and misleading. It referenced a March 2, 2024 report by KPMG, which conducted a process review for the Abia State administration, not a financial audit. The report explicitly stated that it was not performed in the capacity of a statutory auditor and did not determine individual guilt or innocence. The statement emphasized that the ₦1.9 trillion figure does not align with Abia State’s total revenue during Dr. Ikpeazu’s administration, contradicting publicly available records from the SFTAS framework and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Dr. Ikpeazu’s team maintained that he has no pending corruption case and has not been indicted, charged, or prosecuted in any court of law on corruption issues since leaving office. The statement urged the newspaper to publish a correction, considering Dr. Ikpeazu’s current nomination for national service. It highlighted his eight-year tenure as Governor, during which he served diligently and left office without any legal or administrative blemish. The call for better verification in future reports underscores the importance of accuracy in journalism, particularly in cases involving public figures and significant allegations.