By Agbo Amauche, Abakaliki
Ahead of the forthcoming Local Government elections in Ebonyi State, the consensus candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Abakaliki Local Government Council Hon. Ebere Stephen Nwogba has picked his expression of interest and nomination forms.
Nwogba, the immediate past Coordinator of Ekumenyi Development Center picked the forms at the APC Secretariat, Akunuibiam International Conference center Abakaliki, amidst jubilation.
Addressing his supporters shortly after picking the forms, Hon. Nwogba, who deeply overwhelmed, appreciated the people of Abakaliki Local Government Area for finding him worthy to serve in that capacity and also thanked the State Governor Engr. David Umahi for endorsing the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly Hon. Francis Nwifuru as APC Governorship candidate in the State come 2023.
Speaking further, Nwogba said the speaker’s overwhelming victory during the APC governorship primary in the State has shown that he is the man of the people and the best candidate for gubernatorial seat in 2023.
He expressed his readiness to visit all the communities in the council area and sort out its individual problems and ensure massive transformation and development of the council.
He pledged to run an open door policy and all inclusive administration which aimed at carrying everybody along and solicited the support of stakeholders and indeed the good people of the Local Government to move the council forward.
However, he appealed other clans and zones in the State to thrown their weight behind the candidature of Hon. Francis Nwifuru to be next governor of the State, as Izzi clan and Ebonyi North in general have been supporting other zones to produce their choice of Governorship candidates since the creation of the State.
On his part, the special assistant to the Governor on road maintenance and infrastructure Hon. Ben Nwovu, described Hon. Ebere Nwogba as a simple, accessible, tested and trusted politician who has distinguished himself among his equals and urged him to employ his wealth of knowledge in his leadership for the good and overall development of the council.
The Special assistant to the Governor who advocated that equity, justice and fairness be maintained as regards to governorship position in the State, appreciated Governor Umahi for choosing true son of Izzi clan Hon. Francis Nwifuru to be his successor come 2023.
The former special to the Governor on market development Hon. Peter Nwogbaga, affirmed to remain supportive to the candidature of Hon. Francis Nwifuru as the next Governor of the State as well as Hon. Ebere Nwogba to be the next chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area and other APC candidates at all levels to ensure the party cleared all the positions in the State.
The chairman of APC in Abakaliki Local Government Council Hon. Paulinus Attam enjoined the people of the Local Government Area who are of the voting age to massively participate on the ongoing voter’s card registration and revalidation exercise as it remains their power to vote credible candidates of their choice who would represent them in the various elective positions.
The national president of Onwa-Oferekpe Foundation Hon. Keneth Nwovu prayed God to give the incoming chairman wisdom and strength to take the council to the greater height, adding that it is only Hon. Francis Nwifuru would consolidate the good works of Engr. David Umahi in the State.
Lending his voice, the member representing Abakaliki South Constituency in Ebonyi State house of Assembly Deacon Joseph Ununu called on Ebonyi people to give their necessary supports to the APC governorship candidate Hon. Francis Nwifuru, whom he described as man of good will and detribalized Ebonyian who has invested much on Ebonyi people especially in the educational sector and advised all and sundry to queue behind him to enable him succeed.
In their separate contributions, the Coordinator of Amachi development center, Hon. Obinna Nwiboko, the Coordinator of Enyida Development center Mrs. Augustina Nwovu and their counterpart of Abakaliki Hon. Ekene Edeh, all poured an encomiums to the incoming chairman and pledged their unalloyed support and solidarity at all times.
Others speakers included, the leader of Abakaliki Legislative council Hon. Ruben Edeh, a business mogul Mr. Sunday Nwambam, Paul Igwenwachukwu among others maintained that the choice of Izzi man becoming the next Governor of the State remains sacrosanct as the clan is eminently qualified to take mantle of leadership of the State.
They added that the endorsement of Hon. Francis Nwifuru by Governor David Umahi is a dream shared by all.