Enyinnaya Abaribe, lawmaker representing Abia South at the Senate has reportedly notified Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of his intention to succeed him in office.
Mr Abaribe, according to The Nation, visited the Abia State helmsman on Friday to disclose his intention to join the gubernatorial race in 2023.
The national daily, quoting sources at the government house, reported that the senator visited alongside Obingwa political stakeholders.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was thrown off balance when Senator Abaribe told him about his gubernatorial ambition because he had no idea why they wanted to seek audience with him,” the source said. “We learnt that Senator Abaribe just called him to tell him (Ikpeazu) that he wanted to see him.
“The governor thought it was the usual Christmas homage.
“The twist is that we learnt that some of the stakeholders that came with Abaribe didn’t know his mission.
“They too were surprised when Abaribe made his intention known to the governor.”
Neither the minority leader of the Senate nor his aides were reachable for comments when contacted Saturday evening.
