by Wilfred Chimeremeze
A non-governmental and Political organization based in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital, Ebonyi Mandate Organization has warned the people not to play God and allow all aspirants from the 3 geopolitical zones to contest the governorship position of the state rather than zone it to the Southern senatorial zone.
Briefing journalist yesterday, the President of the group, Dr. Chike Nwode also warned that it is imperative for the people to move away from ethnocentric preoccupation, zonal sentiments and personality politics to politics of issues.
According to him: “in 1999, we all knew how Dr. Sam Egwu emerged the governor of the state, he was not the most qualified but the hand of God played out. Also in 2007, everybody in the state also knew how Governor Elechi emerged, it was God, we are also advocating that people should not play God but they should allow everybody irrespective of ethnic nationality or geographical zone”.
“All we are urging the Governor and the PDP is for him to allow the people of Ebonyi state select a credible candidate that would govern in view of the zone the person is coming from. In 1999, all the zones contested the position, the same was the case in 2003, 2007 and 2011, so nobody or zone should be restricted from contesting”.
“As reported in some quarters that the Governor has insisted that the next Governor must come from the South, that is not his position, from the best of my knowledge and what I heard him say, he is advocating for a southern governor but that does not stop other people who are eligible from contesting”.
“we need to eschew parochialism and primordial consideration in the choice of next Governor of Ebonyi State. That is what we need now in Ebonyi state”.
Dr. Nwode who was also the Governorship running mate to Chief Henry Ude in 2007 election urged the people of the state to open their eyes to make a credible choice of who will not only consolidate on the foundation already laid by Chief Elechi but will follow it through.
?”As the 2015 general election beckons, it is not a call to bear arms and not necessarily a call to battle but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, a struggle against the common enemies of man that is tyranny,poverty and disease”.
He further stated that the group stands for good governance and transformational leadership adding that in demonstration of the groups belief and commitment to preach and promote good governance, it unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Governor.
“We also wish to adopt the Governor for the Ebonyi Central Senatorial position in 2015. We also call on our great party, the People’s Democratic Party to adopt him as the sole candidate for 2015, Ebonyi Central Senatorial seat”.
