Youths And Women Inclusiveness In Governance: Gov. David Umahi's Example

Ebonyi State; a fast developing state in Nigeria and a top ranker in infrastructural development south of our nation's geography, cannot be mentioned in political circles where the promotion of youth and women participation in politics and governance are subject matter of discourses without mentioning the regal perch of the eagle of Zeus; the symbol of conquest and power and the chief attribute and personification of the Olympian pantheon, the one and only His Excellency, Engr. Dr. David Nweze Umahi, Fnse, Fnate, CON, the left wing political leather stopper, but the unstoppable Governor of Ebonyi State.

A recent survey conducted by our research unit reveals indisputably that Governor Umahi is the only Governor in Nigeria who gives top priority attention to youth and women participation in politics and governance. Where other Governors give women 20% slots in elective and appointive positions in their states, Governor Umahi gives over 40%. Where the Beijing epochal declaration template says; 35% affirmative action, Governor Umahi graciously gives almost 50% and still promises to make it 60% and leave the men with 40% based on the edifying premise that women of Ebonyi State deliver bulk votes in every election. Of a truth, the women of Ebonyi State have never had it so good; so much so that Ebonyi State is producing her first female Deputy Governor in the person of Princess Patricia Obila from Nkpoghoro Ward in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. This has never happened in our political evolution as a State. Governor Umahi is making it possible in 21st century Ebonyi State and we give him all the encomiums and appreciation.

Again, Governor Umahi promised that a youth will succeed him as Governor of Ebonyi State, come 2023. He didn't renege on that promise. That promise is producing Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. Rt. Hon. Nwifuru is not just a youth; he is also the youngest gubernatorial candidate in Nigeria for the 2023 general election. No wonder the opposition political parties which are parading candidates far older than Rt. Hon. Nwifuru are full of envy and vile mentality simply because Governor Umahi fulfilled his promise. Some of these anti-youth revolutionary renaissance have asked albeit stupidly; "why should it be Nwifuru?" And we dare ask back; "should it have been them? Why should it be them? Who are they that it should be them?" Ebonyi State is not looking for a professor, whom if he knew his onions ought to have restricted himself to the four walls of our ivory towers, producing intellectuals; and visiting parliaments and the executive as well as the judiciary, holding leadership discourses like the celebrated Tanzania Professor. Ebonyi State doesn't need gubernatorial candidates who lack the nitty gritty of how government works and who will assume duties and spend a whole tenure and State resources globetrotting from Europe to America, Asia to the Caribbean on comparative systems of government and governance before he could settle for the serious business of leadership. We don't need such people.

Ebonyi State needs a young and energetic personality as Rt. Hon. Nwifuru who has spent almost eight years as a parliamentarian who also performs executive functions in Parliament as speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. There is no leadership experience that is greater than that. So as we approach the polls again to elect our leaders, Ebonyi youths and women and indeed all people of goodwill, know it now that this is our chance. We bear in our palms the power to massively elect the joint ticket of Rt. Hon. Nwifuru and Princess Patricia as the next Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State. When we get there we shall celebrate the emergence and triumph of youth leadership in Ebonyi State which our dear Governor bequeathed to us as the greatest legacy of all times.

Directorate of New Media

APC Campaign Council

Ebonyi State