Abia gov-elect bans courtesy visits

Abia State governor-elect, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has banned his supporters and well-wishers from paying him courtesy calls and congratulatory visits, saying he needed time to plan for the enormity of the task ahead.

The governor-elect said in a statement issued yesterday that he would feel worthy to accept congratulations and commendation visits after being sworn-in and also having made appreciable impact.

'I wish to thank all those who have felicitated with me in one way or another since I was declared winner of the election and plead for understanding of all those who are planning courtesy calls and congratulatory visits that I shall no longer be available to receive any delegation coming with the intention to congratulate me.

''Because of the enormity of the task ahead, I require all the time I can get to plan to ensure that I justify the enormous confidence you have all reposed in me.

'After I have been sworn-in and after I have made appreciable impact, I will feel worthy to accept your congratulation and commendation visits. For now, I call on all of you to uphold me and those who will work with me in your prayers for wisdom from above to take the right steps.

'It is my solemn pledge that on my watch, Abia State shall be a state you will all be proud of,' he stated.

His position came against the backdrop of the fact that his Umuobikwa home in Obingwa Local Government Area has become a Mecca of sort for people of all shades since INEC declared him winner of Abia State governorship election, especially considering that some came mainly to lobby for positions in his soon to be inaugurated government.