Abia Governor Ikpeazu Goes Simple, Drops “His Excellency”

…Orders Removal Of Congratulatory Billboards from Streets, Others

By Collins Amadi – The wind of change is definitely blowing across the country as the newly-sworn in Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed that the appellations, including “His Excellency and Executive” be dropped in all official and informal communication referred to him.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Godwin Adindu, Governor Ikpeazu announced that he would rather prefer to be addressed simply as Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Governor of Abia State.

“The Governor wants all public communication to be concentrated on the work and policies of the state and not on the person of the Governor and has therefore directed all contractors, political groups, individuals and party loyalists not to put his portrait on billboards, posters and signages but to ONLY use the pictures of ongoing projects in their billboards and posters” the statement directed.

Similarly, the Governor directed the general public to remove all congratulatory posters and election billboards littering the State as these public posters were defacing the State, while charging the residents to be partners with Government in ensuring a “healthy and beautiful environment”.

Governor Ikpeazu reiterated that by the directive, he was re-assuring the people of Abia of his mission of service to the people, urging them to key into the new vision.

It would be recalled that Governor Ikpeazu is not alone in preference for simple official titles. President Buhari indicated before his inauguration that he would prefer to be addressed as “President” without General, similar was the case of the new Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who had also pointed out, he was comfortable with only “Mr” before his name and without “Executive”, whenever being addressed.