.. Appeal to others Izhi Guber hopeful to align, dialogue on consensus candidate
… I’ll bring to halt, Izhi people engaging in road side trading-Nwifuru
Izhi people in Lagos state under the umbrella body of Association of Izhi-Nnodo Clan of Nigeria,(AICON) led by Comrade Edwin Ebili weekend adopted the All Progressives Congress APC governorship candidate, Chief Ogbonna Nwifuru as their choice candidate in the 2023 general election.
The association which membership covered all indigenous people of Izhi from Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Izzi, Ado LGAs in Benue State and others scattered in Cross River states residing in Lagos state and environs said their adoption of the Speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate as their choice candidate in the upcoming general election was presumably on their earlier resolve to support any candidate of Izhi-Nnodo extraction who emerged successfully from two major political parties of either Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Performing the endorsement rite during the 2nd edition of Ojiji Izhi Lagos 2022 celebration, the chairman, Elder (Dr) Dominic Nwibo, lauded the state Governor, Engr David Umahi, for maintaining the promise of not truncating power rotation as practicable in the state.
Elder Nwibo, who’s the Chief Executive Officer, The Choice Sanitary Wares LTD, and Chairman of 2022 Ojiji Izhi celebration, lauded the ruling All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for his leadership ingenuity and assured him of their bulk votes.
“We in Lagos under the umbrella body of AICON before now took a decision to support any of the major political party that gave Izhi man their Governorship ticket.
“As businessmen, our interest is for one candidate, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is today among others who according to INEC list has other Izhi sons as successful candidates in various political parties.
He added, “Our appeal to our Izhi sons who made it in other political parties as governorship candidates, is to tell them that the right time to unite and accept on consensus candidate is now; a time to swallow our pride and put into action our common interests for achieving this goal knowing that all of us can’t be a governor at thesame time.
“It will be regrettable and unforgivable if we allow the PDP experience to repeat again, our children will not forgive us.
“We appeal to entire Ebonyians, those in Lagos, Abuja and in diaspora to join us into the campaign to ensure Rt Hon Ogbonna Nwifuru is given victory; Barr Onyekachi Nwebonyi for Senate and Hon Emmanuel Uguru for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency considering his leadership experiences and as a young man who knows where it pinches the youths”.
Speaking earlier, the Senator representing Ebonyi North zone, Dr Sam Egwu, commended Izhi people for keeping to their rich culture and for their support.
Senator Egwu who was represented by senator Nguji Ngele, appreciated the people for the show of unity and charged them to remain their brother’s keepers.
Responding, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) gubernatorial candidate,Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, appreciated the people for entrusting him with their collective mandate that gave him the privilege to be the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
Also, the Speaker explained that his emergence as Governorship candidate was divine through the instrumentality of the state governor.
He gave analogy of past Senators who have represented Ebonyi North and called on the kinsmen to support the clamour for equity by voting, Barr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, for Senate as Ebonyi LGA remains the only Council yet to gain the position in the zone.
He emphasized that their party is united and maintained that none of the contestants in the party had earlier petitioned or took him to court.
He encouraged Izhi people in Lagos state to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness while living together knowing that everyman has his weakness.
“As I speak with you, I have one hundred and twenty undergraduates who are not my children as none of my child is at university age and this year alone graduates five medical students with good grades.
“My interest to give opportunity to young people is to encourage them to have brighter future, because I came from humble background and wish to lift others.
“Ignore the rumour that another INEC list is coming as none of the contestants under APC had earlier took me to court or petitioned me; the ball is already on our court to take the mantle by coming home and cast your vote for us.
He, however, promised to invest in human capital development once elected as he would bring to a halt Izhi people engaging in road side trading.
“My pay back to you will not be about sharing free money but for you to prepare your proposal which must reflect on your dreams and aspirations as a way to halt our Izhi people from road side trading.
“I’ll reduce exodus urban migration of our youth to cities to the berest minimum.
Others who spoke during the event includes, the traditional ruler representing Ebonyi LGA, His Royal Highness, Eze Augustine Nwego, His Royal Highness, Eze Azi Ewa representing Abakaliki LGA, His Royal Highness Eze Cyprian Nwekee representing Izzi LGA, the national president of Association of Izhi-Nnodo Clan Lagos state,Chief Edwin Ebili and the Lagos state Coordinator, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, (FON), Hon Iziogo Chibuzor, among others.
