Former Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has denied reports that he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was involved 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), noting his attendance at a recent party‑stakeholders’ meeting on 18 November 2025. The statement refuted a newspaper claim that he switched to the APC in April 2024, arguing that a simple verification with party officials or public records would have clarified his affiliation.
Regarding the alleged diversion of ₦1.9 trillion, the statement described the report as inaccurate and misleading. It cited a 2 March 2024 KPMG report, which was a process review for the Abia State administration, not a financial audit. The KPMG document explicitly stated that it was not performed in the capacity of a statutory auditor and did not determine individual guilt or innocence. Moreover, 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 maintains 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, especially in light of 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 when public figures face significant allegations.
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