By Victor Nwegede
Ahead of 2023, when Engr. David Nweze Umahi would complete his second term in office as the Ebonyi State Executive Governor, he was reminded by the Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu, who is representing Ebonyi North Zone in the Red Chambers, of the need to choose his successor from Izzi Nation.
Egwu made this request on Wednesday at the ancestral home of Izzi Nnodo Ekumenyi, Amegu in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state during the grand finale of Ojiji (new yam) festival of Izzi people for the year 2020.
The senator who was the first Ebonyi State Executive Governor and the grandson of Izzi Nnodo Ekumenyi had in a three occasion assured Izzi people of becoming the state governor come 2023, and expressed optimistic yesterday that Governor Umahi would not let his request down.
He commended Umahi for having united Ebonyi political officeholders and other stakeholders which according to him has made the state to be a point of reference at the national level for excellences recorded.
"When Ebonyi State is mentioned now, the door opens. It is because of the way the governor has been relating with people not only in Ebonyi State but with those from outside. Governor, there is something pressingly needed by Izzi people. Let us all be calmed because when time reaches, the governor will know what to do", he said.
Responding, Governor Umahi said, the request made by Senator Egwu is before God, and also appreciated Izzi people for their steady support since assumed office as governor, saying that, he started enjoying the kind gesture from the people when serving as the state deputy governor.
"Your request is before God. ... I have not gotten any distraction from any Izzi son or daughter since assumed power. Izzi people, we have been together, even when I was deputy governor. In 2015, you rejected your son and voted for me", he said.
He advocated for the unity of purpose among the party stalwarts and the stakeholders of the state, asking them to come together in order to continue moving the state forward.
The governor who was the apex guest for the grand finale, described the culture like Ojiji Izzi festival as a binding force for peace and unity, urging the Izzi people to sustain the tempo while commending their intimidating mobilization and solidarity.
He however, frowned at the party-men working without ideology on how to move the society forward.
In this mileu, he advised Izzi youths to resist every attempt that may be brought by their elders to introduce divisions in the clan especially in the electioneering period to disband their unity cord. "Youths! Elders are cheating you in terms of kidredship. Don't allow these elders to cheat you people again. The youths should unite and move Izzi land forward. Nothing will stop you. When they were commissioners, they did not do kidredship. What are you struggling for, the same blood and the same people?" He advised.
He further called for continuous unity of purpose at the national level, noting that after election, the elected officials are expected to be leaders of all the people without considering party or tribe; commending the representatives of Ebonyi people at the National Assembly and other stakeholders for their supports which he said, led credence to bringing solution to the power and water problems in the state by attracting Federal government intervention.
The governor equally cautioned Ebonyi people against security threats and warned them to not temper with the rules guiding fulani-herders and farmers, assuring government's commitment to ensure safety of lives and properties especially the strangers in the state.
Interacting with journalists, the Patriarch of Izzi Nation, Senator Chris Nwankwo, who was the Chairman of the 2020 Ojiji Izzi grand finale with the Ebonyi State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Cletus Ofoke, Abakaliki Council's Executive Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele and member representing Ebonyi North East State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Ezeoma expressed gratitude on the success records of the event and therefore, asked for its sustenance, pointing that it is one of Izzi cultures and traditions that promote peace and unity in the society enumerating many values attached to it .
NATIONAL PANEL gathered that the event were honoured by eminent sons and daughters of Izzi land with many political stakeholders cutting across the 13 council areas of the state.
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