A socio – cultural group in Ebonyi State, the Unwuekumenyi Youths, has urged the state political actors to sustain the gubernatorial charter of equity in the 2023 general election.
Prince Uche Ali Ega, National President of the group, told a news conference in Abakaliki, the prevailing peace and harmony in the state would be sustained if the gubernatorial position was still rotated among the three senatorial districts.
Ega said the forum had appraised political developments in Ebonyi since 1999 and appreciated the gains of the rotation.
“The founding fathers were forthright and had unwavering belief in equity, justice and fairness, especially the rotation of the gubernatorial seats among the three senatorial districts.
“We sincerely appreciate the courage, boldness, honesty and political will of Gov. David Umahi in sustaining the power rotation among the three districts.
“The governorship position having rotated from the north, central unto the south should automatically return to the northern district.
“It is heart-warming that the governor has supported that the gubernatorial seat be zoned to the north senatorial zone, particularly to Izzi clan.
The group’s president noted that it critically assessed the candidates of various political parties and unanimously endorsed Chief Francis Nwifuru, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as its gubernatorial choice.
“We therefore enjoin other critical stakeholders, in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness, not to truncate the dreams of our founding fathers.
“Izzi is the most populous clan in the state; consisting over 70 per cent of both land mass and citizenry of the state,” he said.
Mr Victor Chukwu, Leader of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, said that a vote for Nwifuru is a vote for reciprocity because the Izzi clan supported Umahi in 2015.
“The Izzi clan rejected its son in 2015 insisting that it was the turn of the south where Umahi belongs.
“It is therefore heart-warming that Umahi recognizes this magnanimity and resolved that Nwifuru replaces him.
“We therefore urge political actors to toe this line in order to sustain the political harmony in the state.
It would be recalled that the group participated in the one million man march on Oct.22 in support of Nwifuru’s candidacy.
