Photo credit: ABN TV


The Abia State governorship candidate of APGA  Prof. Gregory Ibe has taken exceptions to the ‘congratulatory message on his safe return from medical trip abroad.’ from his  PDP opponent,  Prof. Uche Ikonne, describing it as an act of 'playing politics with his medical trip abroad'.

“...it is uncomplimentary for Prof Ikonne to attempt to deride the health status of a man who personally elected to take away shame from the face of his PDP government by offering qualitative free medical intervention to the very people he is yet promising to take care of in future, which include his kinsmen from Agburuike clan, hometown of the PDP gubernatorial candidate.

“... in a bid to ridicule Prof Ibe, the press statement misfired by inadvertently confirming the apparent inability of the present PDP government under Dr Ikpeazu to provide quality health services to Abians thereby compelling them to embark on medical tourism within and outside Nigeria", the statement from Ibe's media team stated.


The statement which explained that Prof. Ibe recently returned from an overseas medical trip after a surgery following a muscle tear on his leg, blasted Ikonne for playing politics with their principal’s health, accusing him of subtly deploying craft in casting aspersions and opprobrium on his (Ibe's) health status.

“We consider as unfortunate the resort to the unacceptable politics of stigmatization rather than promotion of issues that will engender faster development of Abia State,” the statement read in part.

The statement affirmed that Prof Ibe is in perfect health both mentally and physically.

 It however explained that he was compelled to undergo surgery abroad recently due to a muscle tear on his leg 

"The surgical procedure was successful sequel upon which he obtained a comprehensive clean bill of health", it stated.

Dailyledger.com.ng reports that upon Prof. Ibe's return from overseas, the PDP guber candidate has sent a widely publicised message to him stating as follows:

" On behalf of my family and the entire Uche Ndi Abia community, I, Prof Uche Ikonne, hereby sincerely congratulate the Chancellor of Gregory University and the gubernatorial candidate of APGA, Prof Gregory Ibe, on his successful medical trip abroad.

"In the spirit of true friendship, I wish you a quick and total recovery, Under my government in Abia state, medical tourism for most specific and life-threatening health conditions will be consigned to pages of history"!