...Says opposing elements from Abakaliki bloc are under curse
From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
Governor David Nweze Umahi has declared that nothing would stop an Izhi man from becoming the governor of Ebonyi State in 2023.
He made this declaration on Saturday at Anmegu, the ancestral home of the Izhi Nnodo Ekumenyi clan in Ebonyi State during the Grand Finale for the 2022 New Yam Festival of the Izhi people popularly known as the Ojiji Festival.
"Don't worry at a darkening counsel without knowledge. Izhi man must be governor. It will come to pass. Let me tell you why I'm so happy. On a very selfish ground, when I was campaigning, I told the Izhi people, that even if there are differences in Izhi land, I will unite the Izhi people. Today, that dream is fulfilled. No, be so? Is Izhi not one? Is Izhi not going to be number one?
"Let me tell you something, Ndi-Uburu normally say, if egg breaks kernel, the stone will become ashamed.
"So, I feel so sad, if I see an Abakaliki man, that is not supporting this project, it means the person is cursed. How can Abakaliki man say after eight years of my tenure, that somebody from the Ebonyi South will come and rule him as a governor for another eight years? Is it possible? Are you still alive?
"When I see such people, I pity them so much. It means that these people are only driven by their belle. I came on the platform of equity and justice. So when I see people who are fighting against the same platform, I feel so sad for them, but the Abakaliki man is like an Hausa man.
"They want to take something from us and at the right time will speak with one voice but we are begging the time to come as to shorten what they're collecting from us," Umahi said.
The state governor said that he has begun a reconciliatory talk with the APC aggrieved members, including the state governorship aspirant of the recently concluded primaries, Engr Elias Mbam and other personalities as to ensure the landslide victory for all candidates of the party in the 2023 general elections.
Umahi said that his choice of a successor from Ebonyi North was to pay back the support given to him by the zone, particularly the Izhi people during the 2015 and 2019 gubernatorial elections respectively.
He urged Ebonyi people to throw their weight behind the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Rt Hon Francis Nwifuru, saying, 'he has shown the capacity to rule the state.'
Umahi who said he came to power through equity upheld that anybody contesting the position of the governor from Ebonyi South is selfish and does not mean well to the state.
He promised to roll out a 3-million man match for solidarity training in support of all the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC from the Ebonyi North Senatorial District this year in October, and called on the entire Ebonyians to support the 2023 crusade for power shift to the Ebonyi North zone.
His words: "I came to power through the platform of equity and justice, Izhi people gave me their support because they believed in fair sharing of power.
"What I am assuring you is that I will fight for you and with you in this quest. Be rest assured that all the men and women of the Ezza clan, Ikwo, Ishielu and the entire Ebonyi South are with you in this struggle, else, how after you have given us this land, the seat of power and somebody is coming up to tell you that you're not qualified to rule this state; is it good? Is it good? Is it good?
"Izhi, Ikwo and Ezza were the first people to give me support when I declared interest to contest for governor and that's what I must reciprocate with both projects and personal support.
"I'm obedient to your party and your course. Before we kicked off our campaign, all the sons and daughters of the Izhi clan who are vying for a position in our party will sort for your traditional blessings for anybody who tries to cause disaffection will be resisted by God. I have come to sow the seed of unity in Izhi land which was what I promised Ndi Izhi during my campaign.
"I have visited your illustrious sons like Engr Elias Mbam, he's a very good man and he listened to me very well. All your other sons and daughters who may not be happy, I will visit them and bring them under this umbrella of unity. You will not divide your votes."
Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and the State APC governorship candidate, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru commended Governor Umahi for his leadership ideation and steady backing for equitable rotation of power in the state. 
He pledged an unbroken loyalty to the governor, saying he would not relent to support in giving adequately, the legislative contributions for the advancement of the democracy in the state.
Nwifuru lauded the state governor for honouring the occasion and charged the Izhi people to continue promoting the culture, in considering its contributions towards fostering love, peace, unity and progress among themselves and their neighbourhoods.
Recall that the Publicity Secretary of the Oha Izhi Nnodo Ekumaenyi, Apostle Benjamin Obaji, had explained that the occasion of "Ojiji or eriji ophu is held to announce the coming of the new yam in Izhi land," saying that "it is also used to celebrate the hard work and patience of the farmers had from planning to harvesting."
The feast, according to Apostle Obaji, celebrates hospitality as it mandates Izhi man to share his new yams and other items with his neighbours, in-laws, friends, widows, visitors and indeed the needy during the festival, adding that the event promotes "peace and unity as it is an abomination to eat ojiji meal or accept ojiji gift from one who you bear grudges against."
Also, the National President Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum and Special Assistant to the State Governor on Road Maintainance, Comrade Ben Nwovu commended the people for their massive turnout and contributions to ensure the culture goes on with more modification yearly.
Comrade Nwovu described the presence of Governor Umahi at the Ojiji Izhi Grand Finale as a cheering one and a symbol of his love for the advancement of the Ebonyi people's culture and traditions.
"This year's New Yam Festival Grand Finale is exceptional because the turnout is amazing with the presence of the state governor who has shown his love for the people's culture and traditions.
"We appreciate him for keeping to his promise of handing over to Izhi man and that we'll reciprocate by supporting his choice candidate and his future national assignment," Comrade Nwovu stated.
Other speakers at the event included the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Professor Emmanuel Echiegu, the first Vice President of the Oha Izhi and Chairman of the Ogbo-Ohubama in the land - Chief Barrister Boniface Ezaegu, the General Secretary of the Oha Izhi - Dr John Nkwuda, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism - Hon Mrs Beatrice Eze, the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki LGA - Hon Stephen Ebere Nwogba, his counterparts of Ebonyi LGA - Hon Chinedu Augustine Uburu and that of Izzi LGA - Hon Stephen Emenike Nwamkpa, etc, equally appreciated the people for their continuous promotion of the culture of the land.
The people advocated for the expansion of the love displayed during the event, to continue strengthening the spirit of brotherhood as seen on the occasion.
The occasion chaired by Eze John Nnaji Nwenyi was witnessed by the Patriarch of the Izhi land, Senator Chief Chris Nwankwo, the Traditional Prime Minister (Ishiuke Izhi) His Royal Majesty Chief Mbam Ngele, the President General of Oha Izhi Nnodo, His Royal Highness Eze Sunday Oketa, the Chairman of Izhi Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Fidelis Nwonumara, other traditional rulers, political officeholders, business moguls, among others.
