...As Ebonyi AA Senatorial Candidate join Labour Party with over 1,000 supporters
....Over 250 physically challenged persons adopt Nkwegu as consensus guber candidate
Ebonyi Youths under the umbrella of the Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum have adopted the state governorship of the Labour Party, Architect Dr Edward Nkwegu, as their consensus candidate for the 2023 gubernatorial election.
On behalf of the members of the forum, the Chairman Board of Trustees, Comrade Maurice Mbam, said the decision was taken on Thursday 22nd December 2022 during their meeting being honoured by their Pioneer President - Comrade Edward Nwenu, their immediate past Chairman - Hon Mike Nwambam and their Chairman of the Elders' Council - Peter Oyon in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital.
The forum stated that the Izzi people have been backing the zoning system on the gubernatorial position since Ebonyi returned to democracy, and however, appealed to other clans across the three senatorial zones of the state to replicate the gesture by supporting Nkwegu's candidacy to be their Chief Servant come 2023.
Mbam affirmed that "this has come to a very important decision, following the meeting of the board of trustees of the Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum," who deliberated and resolved to eschew any form of political hooliganism, threats to life and property," while condemning 'every form of victimisation,' 'undue violence,' 'unjust influence,' and 'vote buying.'
The forum, according to Mbam, also requested that the state government should give all the political parties a level playing ground, to exercise their franchise in the state, noting "that our Ohaukwu brothers should remember that we supported Dr Sam Egwu during his governorship and Senatorial ambition, which led to his victory for the two consecutive terms respectively.
"We remind our brothers from the Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone to give us their support as we supported their brother - Chief Martins Nwanchor Elechi to produce the next governor of this state come 2023 general elections.
"We equally remind our brothers from the Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone to remember that Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum first declared to shift power to go the Southern zone of the state at the Teachers' Training College, Igbegu in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and this later led to the emergence of Governor David Nweze Umahi in 2015 and 2019 respectively."
He assured 'all and sundry' of the promising action in progress to ensure Izzi clan extraction in the state to have a consensus candidate in the person of Architect Dr Edward Nkwegu, before the voting day come 2023 in the spirit of equity, fairness, and social justice, above all, to enthrone a credible, competent and transparent leadership in our dear state."
His words: "We hereby adopt Architect Dr Edward Nkwegu, the Ebonyi gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party as our consensus candidate for the 2023 governorship election in our state.
"This is in line with equity, fairness and justice. We hereby called all the sons and daughters of the Izzi Nnodo Clan both home and abroad, to join hands to support the candidacy of Architect Dr Edward Nkwegu of the Labour Party come the 2023 governorship poll in our state.
"This will bring peace, unity and progress, not only in Izzi land but to the entire Ebonyi State. The support for Sir Edward Nkwegu is the result of his credibility, clarity of purpose and unity of Izzi land and Ebonyi state at large. This adoption is the main adoption of the forum."
The Forum recalled that in 2015 and 2019 respectively, Edward Nkwegu declared interest to contest the governorship position of the state but he was allegedly abandoned by his people just because of their unwavering support for equity, fairness and social justice despite his laudable impacts on human empowerment and development of the state.
The forum maintained that 2023 is a pay-back time to Nkwegu for him to exemplify his managerial and leadership virtues while extolling his gaits in his enterprises as an industrialist and entrepreneur both in Nigeria and overseas.
Recall that some members of the Forum under the watch of the incumbent President - Comrade Ben Nwovu, who doubles as the Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State on Road Maintenance endorsed the state governorship flagbearer, Francis Nwifuru as their sole candidate.
But the Forum's Board of Trustees alleged that the endorsement of Nwifuru was financially induced, with no consultation made to any of them; saying the Ebonyi economic catastrophe presently; demands a person of Nkwegu who has outstanding character, competence, capacity and commitment in wealth creation and human development to occupy the apex seat in the state come 2023.
NATIONAL PANEL reports that the 2023 Action Alliance (AA) Candidate for Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Chinedu Adum also on Thursday in Abakaliki led over 1,000 supporters to join the Labour Party, drumming support for Edward Nkwegu and all other candidates of the party in the state.
Also, the National President of the United Association of Physically Challenged Persons of Nigeria, Mr Silas Egede led over 250 of his members to adopt the Ebonyi Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, Edward Nkwegu; describing him as the best candidate among other contenders for the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Earlier, the members of the Civil Society Action Group led by their State Coordinator - Peter Ezeudo reaffirmed their support for the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party - Peter Obi, the Ebonyi gubernatorial candidate - Edward Nkwegu and all other candidates of the party in the state.
They expressed their readiness to canvass massive votes for the landslide victory of the Labour Party Candidates at the 2023 polls in the state.
Meanwhile, Dr Edward Nkwegu in his response commended the groups for their bold decision by endorsing him while reiterating his eagerness to bring economic transformation to the state through industrialization, agricultural modernization and a peaceful environment with special attention to workers' welfare, education, health and other sectors to end poverty by creating wealth and jobs for the Ebonyi people, among lofty pledges to touch humanity in mega style.
