…. I Am a Sinner, but I Choose the Sin I Commit

About his tenure as governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu addressed the long-standing public sentiment regarding godfatherism in Nigerian politics. Many Abians had called for Ikpeazu to distance himself from the influence of political godfathers, but he firmly stood his ground, explaining his decision with a mixture of loyalty and personal conviction.

Loyalty Over Betrayal

“I am a sinner, but I choose the sin I commit,” Ikpeazu stated, emphasizing that while he acknowledges his flaws, betraying those who have helped him is not one of them. He said:

“I will never want to be a murderer by holding a gun while another person pulls the trigger. Of all the things people can accuse me of, no one can accuse me of ingratitude. If I give you my word and say, ‘Okey Sampson, you are my friend,’ I will not betray you — come rain, come sunshine. I would rather walk away.”

The Pressure to Turn Against Former Allies

Ikpeazu recalled the intense pressure he faced during his transition from the political camp of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu to that of his successor, Governor Theodore Orji. Reflecting on that period, Ikpeazu shared a moment when he was urged to publicly criticize Kalu:

“When we left Governor Orji Uzor Kalu’s camp and began working with Governor Theodore Orji’s camp, I was pressured to go on air at the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA) to castigate Kalu. But I refused. This man gave me food, and I ate it. He appointed me as Transition Committee (TC) Chairman, and for that, I will remain eternally grateful.”

Refusing to Slander

Ikpeazu stressed that even though political dynamics had shifted, he could not, in good conscience, attack Kalu simply because they were on opposing sides:
“Whatever issues existed between him and Governor T.A. Orji, it was not my place to speak ill of someone who had done no wrong to me. So, I refused, and for the better part of T.A. Orji’s administration, I wasn’t in the spotlight until, graciously, he picked me up and supported me to become governor.”

Gratitude Over Ingratitude

Ikpeazu expressed profound gratitude to both his political benefactors and reiterated his unwavering loyalty, especially to Governor Theodore Orji:

“I told him, ‘Sir, I will remain eternally grateful.’ Up till tomorrow, no wrong he does will ever be spoken by me. He is like a father to me. If I don’t feel right about something, I would rather speak to him on the phone or send a text. When they open the Book of Chronicles, in the chapter on ingratitude, you won’t find my name there,” Ikpeazu added with a smile.

© Daily Sun