Lt. Gen. Oyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday.
Ihejirika was the COAS, under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The New Diplomat‘s checks revealed his move to the APC has now fuelled the recent speculations which suggested that he is interested in contesting for the 2023 Governorship election in Abia state as efforts among politicians aiming to succeed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who is serving his second term in office get underway.
The ex-COAS had initially declared his intention to join the APC at his country hometown in Isuikwuato, Abia-North Senatorial district of Abia State, during his registration at the ongoing registration and revalidation exercise of the party, on February 16, 2021.
Ihejirika was recieved on Friday by the Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state and Chairman APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.
Mamman Mohammed, Director General, Press and Media Affairs to Gov. Buni, disclosed this in a statement released on Friday, confirming that Ihejirika was presented to Gov. Buni by Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State.
The statement reads, “Gen. Ihejirika was formally presented to the chairman by the Jigawa state Governor and Chairman APC Strategy and Contact committee Alh. Abubakar Badaru and Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu. The coming of Gen. Ihejirika will increase the fortunes of the party in Abia state and the South East generally. This is a great moment for the party as Gen. Ihejirika and other sons and daughters of the region are coming into the party to deliver the region and bring the South East closer to the center. We look forward to more of APC presence in the South East.”
Ihejirika, 65, was appointed as the COAS by President Jonathan on September 8, 2010 and served in that capacity until his retirement in January 2014.
