The Governor of Abia state, Okezie Ikpeazu on Monday publicly responded to recent derogatory comments by Senator Smart Adeyemi that the governor was a drunkard.
Ikpeazu, who was special guest of honour at a book presentation titled: “Made in Aba” written by Senator Enyinaya Abaribe took the opportunity of the occasion attended by Senators to give a reply to Adeyemi.
He said: “I will like to volunteer for the first time, for those who would think that the man coming behind the microphone to speak as governor of Abia state is a drunkard, permit me to say I don’t drink at all and I don’t begrudge those who drink.
“In other places, in countries that have less problems, they discuss big issues of security, issues of economic/infrastucture development. They don’t talk about what people do or what people don’t do.
“For us leaders, it’s a calling to lead and also to be a mentor. The things you say and how you carry yourself, and the time you say them speak a lot about how serious a person is. That will be the size of my response.
“I will end by borrowing in his book: ‘If a mad man picks your clothes while you are bathing, dress up and you run after him naked, people will not know the difference between the two of you’.”
Speaking on the book, the governor said “Made in Aba” showed the tenacity and the never-say-die spirit that Aba represented and that encapsulated the spirit of Senator Abaribe.
“Abia is not intimidated by anything – figure, size. That is why we are better traders than Lebanese and we produce anything that China can produce,” he said
Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra state and Vice Presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 elections said Abaribe represented “courage, speaking to power”, adding that he knew what such people went through because of their principled position.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
