By CHARLES IWUOHA

An Ebonyi State-based group, Turn-By-Turn Initiative, has endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in the state, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, as it consensus candidate for the March 11, 2023 governorship poll.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the National Convener of the group, Comrade Ben Nworie, said the endorsement was because of the Nwifuru’s credibility which would help to sustain and advance the good legacies of the current Engr. Dave Umahi-led administration.

Nworie, a former Board member of Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation, said that out of the main contenders, Nwifuru was most suitable to succeed Governor Umahi.

“As concerned citizens of Ebonyi State, we have come together to champion the cause of justice, equity and fairness. We have come together to convene a democratic discourse and set agenda that will continue to preserve and protect the lofty ideals of Ebonyi founding fathers. We are doing so, bearing in mind that we must not compromise the future of our next generation,” Nworie said.

The statement added: “As believers in Turn-By-Turn Initiative, we have stated categorically that within the bounds of democratic territory, that power should shift to Ebonyi North Zone. By doing so, we have just observed the sequence started in 1999. We therefore warn that if this sequence is truncated, it may jeopardize the unity and equity in our political system in Ebonyi State.

“We clearly know that even in the previous elections, all the zones had always participated in exercise of fundamental human rights but we will continue to speak clearly on what should guide the majority of people in the state.

“We have also clearly examined and scrutinized the contestants, their strength and weakness, their antecedents and competence; and other factors, and therefore adopted the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, as the most competent to succeed Governor David Umahi in 2023.”

The group’s National Convener therefore called on all Ebonyians to go and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (VCs) so as to vote overwhelmingly for the APC governorship candidate in the state.