By CHARLES IWUOHA
A socio-cultural organization under the umbrella of Unwuekumenyi United Youth Forum (UUYF), has said that the 2023 gubernatorial seat of Ebonyi state should be zoned to the area.
The group comprises six clans of Ezza, Ikwo, Izzi, Ngbolizhia, Ezilo and Ohafia/Agba, which spread across nine Local Government Areas in Ebonyi State, namely, Abakaliki, Ezza South, Ikwo, Izzi, Ishielu, Ohaukwu, Ezza North, Ebonyi and also in Onicha Local Government Areas.
In a one million man-match across the major streets of Abakaliki on Saturday in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate and speaker of Ebonyi state House Assembly, Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the forum said it has appraised the political developments in Ebonyi State from 1999 till date.
The forum commenced the founding fathers of the State, for their forthrightness and the unwavering belief in equity, justice and fairness, especially as regards the rotation of the seat of governorship among the three Senatorial Zones in the State.
Addressing journalists after the event, president of the forum, Prince Uche Ali Ega, appreciated the massive developmental strides of Engr. David Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, especially in Unwuekumenyi land.
"We sincerely commend your boldness, honesty and political will in maintaining the power rotation among the three (3) Senatorial Zones in the State.
"With the Governorship position having rotated from the North, Central, South and now, back to the North Zone."
The forum commended political parties in the State, who in respect to the charter of equity, zoned their Governorship positions to Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, particularly to Izzi clan.
It stated that having made critical assessment of all the candidates of the various political parties in the State, the forum unanimously endorsed the candidature of Francis Nwifuru, as consensus choice for the 2023 Governorship election in Ebonyi State, urging other critical stakeholders in Ebonyi project to do same.
The forum commended other clans and zones in the State to kindly respect the zoning arrangement and rally round Rt. Hon. Nwifuru, the Gubernatorial candidate of (APC), in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness, in order not to truncate the dreams of the founding dathers.
"Reiterating that, being the most populous clans in the state; consisting over seventy percent (70%) of both landmass and citizenry of the state, insists that this equitable, fair and just decision of returning power to Unwuekumenyi MUST be upheld, knowing that in the event of breakdown of law and order resulting in injustice, we will be the worst hit."
The group further stated that Unwuekumenyi are peace-loving, accommodating and generous, saying that it is capable considering the existing inclusiveness in the dealings with the other zones, clans and residents in Ebonyi State, during and after the 2023 general elections.
