...As Egwu backs 2023 Izhi governorship agenda in Ebonyi State
By VICTOR NWEGEDE
A socio-political organisation known as G-15 from Izhi Nation has purchased and formally presented the PDP expression of interest and Senatorial Nomination Forms to the member representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu as a way of showing its solidarity for his third term bid in 2023.
The National President of the group, Victor Nwoke who performed the presentation of the forms on behalf of his members to Senator Egwu, said the decision remains evergreen in the political history of Izhi Nation, noting that it was a part of demonstrating their love for having deployed resources and privileges at his disposal to ensure their people being treated fairly and equitably in the state.
According to him, "it is in the honour of your love, care and support for Izhi Nation that the members of G-15 with massive support from our stakeholders and PDP faithful decided to purchase the PDP Senatorial Nomination Forms for you to further establish our firm support to the continuation of your effective representation at the Senate."
Nwoke noted that Senator Egwu who was the first Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, appointed Izhi people into enviable positions, cited critical developmental infrastructures in their land, awarded local and oversea scholarships to their brothers and sisters, created unprecedented and unparalleled employment opportunities for their people into the state civil and public service, ensuring peaceful co-existence among them and their neighbours and all components of the state throughout his tenure.
"As a Senator, you did not leave Izhi Nation behind, you appointed our sons into your Senatorial cabinet, influenced the appointment of your sons and daughters into government positions, awarded local scholarships to our indigent brothers and sisters, attracted the construction of several classroom blocks, skill acquisition, skilled acquisition centres, motorised boreholes and manual boreholes, engaged in electrification projects, and offered numerous empowerment packages to party leaders and faithful; including the recent massive of G-15 members," Nwoke added.
He further noted that the Senator has also donated two buses to the Izhi Youth Forum, between when he was governor and in his first tenure at the National Assembly.
The G-15 President commended Senator Egwu for his dogged fight to ensure that the Federal College of Education originally proposed to be sited in Izhi land was not relocated to Isu in Onicha Local Government Area, even though it did not work out.
He maintained that Senator Egwu has effectively represented them at the Senate and 'he deserves to go back to continue the good works.'
"Your Excellency, you have always towed the path of justice, fairness and equity. That explains why you have never minced words in shouting that the next governor of Ebonyi State must come from Izhi Nation.
"You have seized every avenue and opportunity to let well-meaning Ebonyians especially the PDP leaders and party faithful know that the next governor should go to Izhi and anything, on the contrary, may lead to dire consequences."
He recalled that Senator Egwu stood on the same path in 2017, to ensure that his successor, former Governor Martin Nwanchor Elechi, who is from Ebonyi Central zone took over from him and he equally replicated the virtue in 2015, by insisting that Ebonyi South must succeed Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi, which eventually led to the election of the present state Governor, Engr David Nweze Umahi.
He said it baffled the group that the beneficiaries of Senator Sam Egwu's 'policy on equity and fairness are ones opposing, castigating and vilifying' him 'for maintaining a similar stance on 2023 Izhi governorship agenda.'
Responding, Senator Egwu who accepted the nomination form, described the gesture as a great honour and appreciated G-15 for organising this by consulting Izhi leaders, stakeholders and various organisations before coming to demonstrate their love for him through its official presentation.
While pouring blessings of God upon the members of the group and their supporters, Senator Egwu maintained that the gesture was a rare one, and also disclosed his passion and emotional support for the Izhi governorship agenda coming to the 2023 General Election.
"In 2023, we do not doubt that it is the turn of Izhi people to produce the governor of Ebonyi State and everybody knows about it.
"It has been long I started talking about this issue of zoning the governorship position in this state because people who feel they have money or influential personalities would decide to pick the interest forms.
"I thank God it has been long I started talking about this project till today, and even those who didn't agree with me initially have agreed now.
"I know that some of us who access social media can testify that Ebonyi South people are now spearheading for zoning the state governorship position to Ebonyi North.
"What Ebonyi South people are saying is that as far as Governor is concerned, they are going to support Ebonyi North in 2023.
"And you could remember that when Oha Izhi did the reception ceremony of both the Bishop Emeritus and the new Bishop of the Catholic Church of Abakaliki Diocese, even the governor who succeeded me, Chief Martins Elechi, said that in 2023, Izhi Nation will produce Ebonyi State Governor.
"And I want to assure you that the discussion about zoning, our party, PDP has zoning in our Constitution at the national, state and local government levels," Egwu said.
He noted that all the state governorship aspirants especially those from the Izhi clan are eminently qualified, and however, urged them to unite minds to produce a consensus candidate from the clan, to be the PDP flag bearer in 2023.
He expressed confidence that, Izhi man if given the mandate to be governor in 2023, would be able to tackle the avalanche challenges facing Ebonyi, saying that the state needs economic transformation, serious attention in the areas of education, civil service reform, agricultural modernisation, industrialisation and above all peaceful co-existence among the citizens and their neighbourhoods.
Meanwhile, other speakers at the event, including member representing Abakaliki-Izzi Federal Constituency - Chief Sylvester Ogbaga, former Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Professor Adaeze Nwuzor, former Executive Secretary of EBOSCA - Dr Augustine Nwazunku, an Izhi Elder Statesman - Chief Boniface Ofoke, an Official of G-15 - Lazarus Nwazunku, Stakeholders from Ohaukwu LGA- Chief Fred Onwe, Emmanuel Edeh and Mike Nwambam, who was the Chairman of the occasion said the gesture was a well deserved one by Senator Egwu while describing him as a strong pillar of Ebonyi politics and prayed God to give him a more exalted position in the House of the Senate come 2023 following his humanitarian services in the society.
