...Declares free birth delivery in Izzi LGA
From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The Executive Chairman of Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Barrister Steve Emenike Nwankpa at the weekend widely commended Governor David Umahi for endorsing an Izhi man to be his successor come 2023.
Nwankpa who made this commendation at the Izzi Council Headquarters, Iboko during the unity rally by the Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru (FON) Youth Movement for the 2023 general elections, described Governor Umahi as a covenant keeper.
It could be recalled that FON Youth Movement is a socio-political organisation canvassing massive votes for the victory of Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the state governorship flag bearer under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC and other party's candidates for the 2023 general elections.
The organisation through the sponsorship of the Izzi Council Chairman, Barr Nwankpa kicked off on Saturday, a unity rally as a headline of their preparedness to march towards Ebonyi's Ochudo Centenary City in 2023, beginning from the state governorship candidate's local government area.
Nwankpa who was visibly delighted following the mammoth crowd who turned out from all the villages and political wards that make up his council area to show solidarity for the state governorship standard bearer, Chief Francis Nwifuru and other APC candidates during the unity rally, said the choice made by Governor Umahi on whom to succeed him in 2023 had shown that he is a man of the people.
"Why we are here is to reconfirm our faith and preparedness that we have no other party in Izzi Local Government Area and elsewhere in Ebonyi State except the All Progressives Congress, APC.
"We came here today to reconfirm with our conscience, and with our souls, to show people's comfort and reconfirm the audacity of hope, that the only governorship candidate of Ebonyi State come 2023, is no other person but Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
"We are here today, to reconfirm our belief and commitment, to toe the line of our dear governor, to remember that he is only the governor who accepted to hand over the seat of power of this state to an Izzi man.
"This has never happened in the history of Izzi politics, that a sitting governor in Ebonyi state is supporting our child, for the very first time. Therefore, our understanding today is that Governor David Nweze Umahi is a covenant keeper. He is a covenant keeper. He is a promise keeper. He has lived by his words, and that's why we are gathered here to invoke the spirit of hard work, the spirit of the truth of our people and march victoriously to the Ebonyi State Government House.
"We only came to reconcile one thing, that the only governorship candidate we have is Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and the party to cast our votes is the APC, where the broom is drawn," Nwankpa explained.
He urged the Izzi council people to cast their votes for all other APC candidates, expressing confidence that the standard bearers of his party would be returned victorious at the 2023 polls while assuring a hitch-free exercise in the area.
"As the local government chairman, I assure you a violent free election in the Izzi Council Area," Nwankpa promised.
He used the opportunity to declare a free birth delivery in the public hospitals within his council area during the yuletide.
He noted that such a humane gesture including offsetting hospital bills of the indigent patients had been executed in some hospitals in the state by his administration immediately taking over the office from his predecessor, Chief Paul James Nwogha a few months ago.
Also, the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area, Hon Stephen Ebere Nwogba commended Governor David Umahi for supporting Izhi man to be his successor, saying "from all indications, the victory of the APC gubernatorial candidate will be a landslide one come 2023."
He also lauded the organisers of the unity rally, stressing that the massive turnout of the council people during the event had proved the APC-led government in the state is grassroots-oriented and further described APC as the party to beat in 2023.
Responding, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Chief Francis Nwifuru commended the members of the organisation for their unwavering support and assured that his administration would be anchored on the people's oriented projects.
Represented by his younger brother, Chief Fidelis Nwifuru promised to embark on rural development to ensure urban-rural integration, human capital development, empowerment of the youths, massive employment and to pay special attention to the educational sector, the welfare of the Ebonyi workers, among others.
