Gen Ihejirika
Former chief of Army Chief, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika (retired) says his party, APC will determine where the next candidate of the party in Abia needs would come from.
Gen Ihejirika stated this while interacting with newsmen at his Ovim country home Isukwuato LGA of Abia State. He said Abia needs improvement especially on infrastructure.
He stated that the year 2021 came with its own challenges, while 2022 will come with much activities including politics as many governors and other political positions prepare to leave office in 2023.
On the crisis rocking APC, Ihejirika posited that he believes the party has a mechanism to settle all squabbles in Abia and at the national level. Therefore, he urged that Abians have the opportunity to entrench the change they want by obtaining their permanent voters card, PVC. This, he said would end issues of voter apathy in the state and discourage those with negative intention to rig.
Gen Ihejirika said, ” I joined politics with All Progressive Congress, APC to offer my service both is Abia and the national level”. I also joined to help tackle issues of security. But on the issue of zoning the Abia Governorship seat, the party (APC) will decide”
He maintained that Abia requires someone with good pedigree, responsible, wide scope that will meet up with the qualities to surmount the challenges of the state. “The person should be broad minded to handle all issues without fear or favour”. He continued, “we are looking at leaders that are patriotic, to me, every Abian is qualified to aspire any position” but to me, the peace and progress of the state is most important”.
He used the forum to advice Abia youths to embrace farming as a way to reduce unemployment.
According to him, the south east states have not done well in agricultural sector and advised that government should made necessary provisions before banning the importation of goods.
His words, “my little agric outfit is a centre for research” government and private institutions should lay the foundation for modern farming” we have potentials lands and government should focus on that”
On security issues in Abia, general Ihejirika called on the state government to provide more gadgets for security agents to boost their morale.
He equally advised that the local vigilante should help the security agents, while the public have the role to provide reasonable information to the security.
On those agitating for freedom, Gen Ihejirika pointed out that agitation is allowed even in the civilized countries, but express worry that when agitation goes violence, they lose support.
Ihejirika stated that the primary purpose of establishing Nigeria Army of Languages at Isukwuato is being achieved, as his successors have made French language compulsory for young officers.
The former Chief of Army staff took journalists round various sections of his farm where he has Guinea fowl, green house housing green pepper and other crops, Porcupine, Noiler birds, Goats and sheep, Geese etc.
