By CHARLES IWUOHA

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has called on politicians and stakeholders in the electoral process to approach the 2023 general elections with decorum to avoid overheating the polity.

Umahi made the call during a Local Government Rally held at Ugbodo, Ebonyi Local Government Headquarters, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

"I have directed the Commissioner of Police, and the Director DSS, any political party that wants to hold rally in any local government of the state must abide by the laws of the state.

"At the local government level, you apply to the Chairman of Local Government Area and at the state level, you apply to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports.

"I have directed that no one should be denied access to hold rallies, but you must obey the laws of the land.

"When you fail to do that, I will guarantee you that your rally will not hold. Where you are denied access, report to the Commissioner of Police or Director SSS, or myself. Even if you don't have money to pay, I will use my personal money to pay for you.

"Why I am saying this is because I just want the world to know that Professor Odo is just busy tarnishing my name for nothing. When he was unfortunately attacked, I was not in town. Two days before the attack, two police men and two soldiers were killed almost at that same spot. He is said to be doing campaign by 10pm, according to police report, and he was attacked. As curious as it sounds, I want him to concentrate in his campaign and not do anything to destabilize Ebonyi State.

"Tomorrow, he says his people will attack my convoy in Ebonyi State, let him try it.Let me give him the last warning, to be the gubernatorial candidate is not the licence to commit crime in the state or to destabilize the state. Should he continue, he will meet the laws of the land.

"To the so-called Anyichuks, he is just running against the tide, he is my cousin, from his place to my place is just about 5 km. The Governorship of Ebonyi State is by rotation, I am finishing in few months time, the thing is zoned to Ebonyi North and it is zoned to Izzi and the Izzi people and entire Ebonyi people have brought out Nwifuru, Onwa Oferekpe. Let them concentrate on their rallies, let them know that election is not 419.

"From security report, I have learnt that the opposition have recruited and branded ESN members and IPOB in every Local Government to attack APC members. Until today, no APC person is arrested for tearing posters and billboards, they have torn many of our posters and billboards. Those arrested are already in court. We give them our stadium, they deface it, they destroy our infrastructure, we have kept quiet as the father of the state. We will continue to give them our stadium.

"Let there be peace in Ebonyi State, let the world know that Ebonyi is very peaceful, and for those that they have given guns, I am warning you for the last time."

Governor Umahi while thanking people of Ebonyi Local Government Area for their solidarity to his administration said he was satisfied that his government lived up to the vow of uniting entire Izzi Nation before the end of his tenure.

The Governor while announcing plans to complete the remaining portion of Nwiboko Obodo road, also promised to look into the sorry state of the Ogbaga road.

Governor Umahi thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his exceptional love for the state, and urged the people to vote for APC at all levels to repay the good deeds of the President.

The Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Rachel Umahi, thanked the Council and its stakeholders for the massive mobilization to the rally and urged them to translate the crowd to victory for the party in the coming elections.

"This is the right time you have to vote for APC, we are already winners, in Jesus name," she said.

The Governorship Candidate of APC, Chief Francis Nwifuru, while applauding the people for massive show of love, assured that his administration would tap the mineral deposits in the Council and build a cement factory within the early period of his regime.

Chief Nwifuru also promised that he would connect the whole Council with good roads as a way of opening up the area for development.

The APC candidate for Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi and Candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze, while soliciting for votes, pledged to give the people purposeful representation if given the mandate.

The Director-General of the Divine Mandate Campaign Council, Chief Austin Umahi, the Director-General Women Wing, Mrs Catherine Ogbu, and APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Emegha, as well as the zonal Secretary of APC, Chief Itapa Azuobu, appealed to the people to vote massively for the party at all levels in the elections.

Chairman Ebonyi Local Government Area, Mr. Chinedu Uburu, Mrs Ann Aligwe, Chief Chris Uchaji, Mrs. Patience Ogodo, Mr. Elias Igwe, Chief Sabinus Nwankwegu, Chief Ikechukwu Nwankwo, Architect Justin Ogodo, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogbaga, and Dr. Chamberlain Nwele appreciated Governor Umahi for keeping faith with the people and assured that they would work hard to deliver all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

The Traditional Rulers of Ebonyi Local Government Area also used the occasion to pray and adopt all candidates of APC for the general elections.

Governor Umahi used the opportunity of the rally to commission all projects executed by his administration within the Council.