Defection: Ebonyians warn against further distraction to Umahi's govt

 

 Some of the stakeholders and elders in a group picture after their meeting.

By Kelechi Nwoba

Ebonyi people  have shown concern on the words- attacks on the state government and issued last warning to every distractor against Governor David Umahi's led administration in the state to stop by allowing him to finish his leadership like other former governors of the state.

This was contained in a communique issued and signed by the state stakeholders and elders  in their meeting held  on Saturday 28th November, 2020 at Akanu International  Conference Centre, Abakaliki town. 


The communique made available to journalists through the sate platform for news-update by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji stated that Ebonyi stakeholders and elders met because of the political development and security report on a plot to unleash mayhem in the state and made some resolutions.

According to the communique, they have resolved to stand with the government of  Governor Umahi on the decision to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. 

They considered the governor's decision as a bold step towards mainstreaming with the party at the centre to savour the full complements of the Nation’s dividends of democracy for the good of Ebonyi State and the prosperity of her inhabitants. 

It added "that we uphold the move to join the party at the centre as a decision in the best interest of  South East,  which shall once again launch Ndigbo to the centre- stage of national politics. We believe that those who are castigating this arrangement today will in future praise the foresightedness and forthrightness that informed this bold decision to mainstream with the party of national unity. 

"That we are worried by the alarm raised by the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Engr.  Chief David Nweze Umahi on the plot of some politicians to unleash terror and destabilize the security of the state and therefore reiterate that as stakeholders and elders of the state,  we cannot fold our hands and watch the state go into flames again after  the hard earned peace and harmony we achieved under the present administration.

"That we recount the killings and wanton destruction of property in the state between 2000 and 2006, especially the Ishielu killings, Ivo Killings, and the brazen destruction of property orchestrated by some highly placed politicians which left Ebonyi state into monumental socio-economic disaster.

"That as stakeholders and elders, we are constrained to warn that we will never again allow such evil to befall the state. 

"That we warn those that have such plans to destabilize the peace and harmony in the state and those who think they are distracting the Governor, to desist forthwith as we shall mobilize all forces to resist them. Unfortunately, those who think they are distracting the Governor came late as our dear Governor has delivered in his promises to the people of the state.

"That we once again re-state our unwavering love, solidarity and support to our dear Governor and praise him for the unprecedented development in the state that has given us a bold face in the comity of states.  We therefore urge him to remain focused and undaunted in his determination to transform Ebonyi state for the good of all."

NATIONAL PANEL learnt that the stakeholders and elders present during the meeting cut across party lines especially the old and new APC members in the state who signed the communique.