The Outgoing Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chinedum Orji, has spoken about his relationship with former governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
During a recent interview, Orji alleged that Ikpeazu had sponsored his opponent in a rival party to thwart his bid to be elected as a member of the House of Representatives for the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency during the recently-held National Assembly elections.
Orji represents Umuahia Central Constituency of the state and insisted that the days of fighting for the good political interests of close allies and friends were over.
He lamented that his efforts were being rewarded with blackmail and propaganda targeted at damaging his image.
In a bid to clear the air, he spoke about his appearance with his father, Senator Theodore Orji, and the current representative of Abia Central Senatorial District.
Orji clarified the reason behind his appearance at Governor Alex Otti’s inauguration, stating that he attended out of courtesy and that it was about Abia State and not politics.
He also questioned why his affiliation was a topic of discussion since he was not named when the incumbent governor was selecting his top officials.
Orji further stressed that he no longer fights other people’s battles and anyone who wishes to fight him directly should do so.
Senator Theodore Orji, and his son Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, were said to have been instrumental in Ikpeazu’s election victory in Abia State during the 2015 and 2019 gubernatorial elections.
Ikpeazu won both of his elections against Otti, who was his main opponent.
However, Ikpeazu lost the bid to install his favoured candidate in the just-concluded 2023 elections held in the state.
