Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has described national cohesion and inclusiveness as key to boosting the nation’s socio-economic development.

He called for concerted efforts to arrest factors inhibiting the country’s socio-economic advancement and said he had no plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He, however, pointed out that he was desirous to see the party take decisions that would promote national cohesion and inclusiveness.

Mr Ikpeazu urged the party’s leadership to be sensitive to the yearnings of every member, regardless of the part of the country they come from.

“Every part of Nigeria, including the southeastern part, needs a voice in PDP. Today, as we vote for PDP, we need to know what is on the table for Igbo people because we ought to be carried along in the scheme of things,” the Abia governor explained. “We are saying that in the Nigeria of tomorrow, we need to be on the table and not outside.”

Mr Ikpeazu said this on Thursday during the grand finale of the 2022 Abia Day Celebration at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

The acting chairman of the Abia Advisory Council, Chikezie Wachuku, urged Nigerians to vote wisely in the 2023 general elections.

Mr Wachuku further advised Abia residents to be security conscious and to promote Mr Ikpeazu’s development agenda.

Speaking with journalists on the sideline, the secretary to the state government, Chris Ezem, said the celebration offered an opportunity for the Abia people to appreciate the achievements recorded in the state.

Mr Ezem added that it was heartwarming that Abia belonged to the comity of states with policies and programmes capable of boosting its socio-economic growth.

(NAN)