Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, has issued a strong rebuttal to comments made by his successor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, urging him to “carry his cross” and avoid making what he described as “careless statements” about others.

This comes in response to remarks Ikpeazu made during a recent event in Abuja, where he described leaders who blame their predecessors as “lazy” and claimed Abia State was in a “gloomy state” when he assumed office in 2015.

In a swift reaction, Senator Orji, speaking through his former Liaison Officer and Senior Aide, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, criticized Ikpeazu for contradicting himself. Orji noted that while Ikpeazu condemned elected leaders who criticise their predecessors, he was simultaneously guilty of the same behavior.

Orji expressed disappointment that rather than embracing responsibility for his tenure, Ikpeazu was resorting to shifting blame. He stressed that effective leadership is measured not by rhetoric but by tangible outcomes.

“Dr. Ikpeazu should once again carry his cross and take responsibility for his actions and inactions, instead of looking for who to blame,” Orji stated.

The exchange adds to the ongoing political discourse surrounding leadership accountability in Abia State.