All Progressives Congress, Ebonyi State.

*PEACE, POLITICS AND EBONYI'S DESTINY

By Barr. Emeka Nwode

This past one month has been, in the assessment of many, the most turbulent and challenging period in the history of the almost 25 years old Ebonyi State. It was the longest one month as the vile and unjustifiable indiscretion of some individuals in a remote part of Enyibichiri in Ikwo Local Government Area of the State snowballed into a fratricidal war in the immediate area concerned and unprecedented violent attacks on persons, looting and destruction of properties in and around the Abakaliki Capital City .

At the cessation of hostilities, a yet to be determined number of persons, including children, were either killed or are still missing.

This dark patch of history not only unsettled the serenity that Abakaliki, the State Capital, is noted for, but severely jolted the ancestral bond between two of the largest and most illustrious clans of the State: Ikwo and Izzi.

This inexplicable and avoidable carnage was as much a dent on the image and reputation of the two clans as it has serious security and economic consequences for Ebonyi State. The narratives of the massive socio-economic foundation that has been laid by the administration of His Excellency, Engr (Chief) David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, were, even if briefly, punctuated by tales of killings, abductions and destructions. This angle coming at the heels of the Ezza and Ezza Effium crisis, Ishinkwo and Abaomege debacle, and the atrocious attacks by marauders suspected to be Fulani herders have the ominous effect of scaring off the much coveted indigenous, local and foreign investors from a State which the present Governor has gone the extra lengths to provide the requisite facilities as catalysts for a viable and enduring economic growth.

From the ashes of this gloomy picture is an optimism fanned by the fact that the most prosperous States and, or, Nations are the ones that learnt from their misfortunes, rekindled their determination to succeed and took measured and conscious steps to forestall the repetition of their charred experience. The fortunes of the developed economies of today owe their accelerated rise to the policies and efforts that were made after destructive conflicts. Ebonyi State can draw inspirations from those success stories as the route to greatness is never straight. There are bound to be bends and curves.

Governor Umahi deserves a lot of commendations for the dexterous manner he has handled all the crises that have reared their ugly heads in the State recently. His order for the arrest and detention of the leaders of the various communities involved in the crises elicited divergent interpretations from those directly or remotely concerned. It should, however, be noted that in crisis management, desperate situations may elicit measures that may be considered desperate. Every strategy adopted by a leader, in the circumstance, must be such that is aimed at quelling the crisis and dousing tension at all reasonable cost.

The arrest of some stakeholders had the immediate impact of not only assuaging the grief of those that lost loved ones and properties, but also kept those detained out of danger as many of them were prime targets for reprisal attacks.

While Governor Umahi, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi State Chapter, and other well meaning leaders of the State toiled relentlessly to restore security and order in the State, the absence of complementary efforts by the National Assembly members from Ebonyi State and other self styled opposition elements is as worrisome as it is significant.

Apart from Comrade Chinedu Ogah, member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency who convened a peace parley at 'Ukwu Mango' village arena, Ohatekwe Enyibichiri, it is not on record that any National Assembly member, particularly the representatives of the people of the restive areas, ever made any effort to intervene and reconcile the warring communities. The numbness of leadership by these persons who, at their convenience, claim to be the direct elected representatives of the people is greatly responsible for the escalation of the numerous internecine wars amongst their constituents.

As people who go to the grassroots to seek for the support of the electorates during elections, the least that could have been expected would have been constant meaningful reconciliatory meetings and collaborations to address and resolve any primordial or contemporary animosity. This would have nipped in the bud the recent conflagrations instead of acting like scanvegous vultures that patiently look forward to the death of a sick animal.

As the 2023 general elections approach, the electorates and the political gladiators should know that only the living votes, and only the living can be voted for. It is absurd to be interested in only plotting how to induce people to vote for one during the ballots in 2023 instead of being part of the current plot to eschew the preponderance of violence and caskets in the villages, communities and constituencies.

Since only peace can guarantee a meaningful existence in this transient life, let Ebonyi people appreciate the fact that at no time in its history has the State been better positioned to achieve the dreams of its founding fathers than at this period that Governor Umahi has placed the interest of the people above politics.

The bridge to a glorious destiny, and which must be guarded jealously, is enduring PEACE. It is very heartwarming that peace has fully returned to Ebonyi State again.

The emergent best investment hub in Nigeria is now stronger, better and more receptive to investors and tourists alike.

During my second degree, somewhere in Southeast Asia, in my first day in class for Bus 101, business management. The 21 years old lecturer stepped into the class, turned to the white board, wrote the course code and underneath, she wrote "An army of rabbits, led by a lion is more dreaded than an army of lions led by a rabbit". I took that and it stuck with me.

This is the story of Ebonyi State and her meagre federal allocation, under the leadership of an astute manager, an expert in resource control and distribution, Chief Engr David Nweze Umahi FNATE FNSE.

Everybody knows the financial standing of Ebonyi State in the federal allocation table but nobody knew Ebonyi was going to be where she is now, the fastest developing state in Nigeria, the infrastructural giant of the South East. Even naysayers agree that Dave is doing wonders in the state, some of us marvel and ask, from whence cometh this funds.

We in Ebonyi now know there's money in government and that it's only a question of, is there the political will to work?
Dave has set the parametres for measuring the success or otherwise of future governors in the state.

We're getting better and almost fully recovered from our dark days of timidity and backwardness. The Commisioner for Works and Transport, Engr Ogbonnaya Obasi Abara and his team are making sure of that. These men are redefining Civil Engineering in Ebonyi State.
You wake up virtually every day to see a new engineering project, just started or completed.
That's how you know a fast developing place.

In keeping with our words, we've concluded the Akaeze-Uburu bridge.
In the next few weeks, it'll be opened up to traffic.
The launching of the crossing beams of the 30 span Iyere Edda fly-over bridge has commenced.
My governor is not stopping for nothing.
Nwoke ejiro project eme politics.

Chukwuorji Igodo.
T.A Works and Transport.

POLITICS IS A GAME OF NUMBERS: FOCUS ON APC MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION

By Emeka Atukpa

The success of any venture is a function of the input made into into it to warrant the success expected. It is said that what we garbage in is what we garbage out. An object remains in a state of rest until a relevant force is applied to it.

This is why the forthcoming APC membership registration on 25th January, 2021 must be given the necessary attention to achieve the desired results. To this end, it is pertinent to note that all hands must be on deck to drive home the awareness needed to get Ebonyi people and indeed the South East to register massively in APC.

This is not the time to segregate but an opportunity to work together as party leaders, chieftains and all relevant stakeholders. The idea of I have been in APC or you just joined APC must be jettisoned. Everybody must cooperate with the party leadership to enhance effective, efficient and massive registration of people in APC.

I like to commend His Excellency the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Engr Dr David Nweze Umahi fnse fnate on his promise to reward any ward or Local Government Area that registered the highest number of people. Other stakeholders should roll out necessary incentives in their domain to motivate people to register massively in APC.

The meeting of all stakeholders in Ebonyi State at the International Conference Center, the All Progressive Congress State Secretariat is a right step in the right direction as it will afford participants the opportunity to drive home the need for the registration to be taken seriously.

The quest for Nigerian President of Igbo extraction will be a walk over if the membership registration records maximum success. Let's join hand with His Excellency Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi to make South East truly linked to the National grid of Nigerian politics. The level of mobilisation by relevant stakeholders will determine to a great extent the level of success the exercise will command.

Let's show our strength by mobilising our people to register massively in the APC membership registration coming up on the 25th day of January, 2021.

To this end I am suggesting that our Local Government Chairmen should be given the number of people they should mobilise and register in the different wards that make up their Local Government Area. Also every appointee should justify their position by the number of people they register in their different Development Centers. This I believe will make the exercise a hot cake.

Let's all carry our brothers whose Governors are not in APC along during this exercise in the spirit of oneness.

To God is the glory.
APC !!! Next Level!!!

The caretaker Committee Chairman of the ruling APC is unrelenting in his decision to reach out to the actual owners of Ebonyi State.
He calls it the policy of 'inclusiveness'.

This time he was at Ohaukwu LGA, Ebonyi North district, to meet with one of their illustrious sons and a former gubernatorial contestant of the defunct SDP, Hon. Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo, man of the people.

The Chairman stated during the occasion, that the defunct PDP in the state is waiting for the collapse of the ruling APC in Ebonyi. That they've been waiting to see how all the factions in the party will be harmonized, which according to them is impossible.

He assured His Excellency and the APC party faithfuls that anyone waiting for bad news from Ebonyi APC will be ashamed. He promised to use his experiences, gathered over the years as the SA & subsequently, the Commissioner for, lnternal Security, Border Peace and Conflict Resolutions, to unify the party and enlarge her fold.

In reply, Hon. Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo, thanked the chairman for extending the olive branch to him and assured him that his appointment as the caretaker chairman of the ruling APC at this time is nothing short of divine. That the governor may not know that he was acting under divine direction in nominating him.

He stated his decision to join the ruling party and give his unalloyed support to the administration and government of His Excellency the governor. He said where the governor is, there he will be.

He encouraged Ebonyians to join forces with the governor, to get the best for Ebonyi, South East and indeed the Nigerian state.

APC, NEXT LEVEL.
Chukwuorji Igodo Esq.
Incoming Chief Press Secretary to HEx.

https://youtu.be/zf_UkOoaRko
Touch the above link 👆👆

Watch the glorious works of His Excellency, Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi Fnse, Fnate, in Ebonyi State.
The uncommon feat achieved by a man with the fear of God.
In this game of Politics, we count success and achievements. The successand achievements recorded by Governor David Nweze Umahi is unprecedented, very monumental, it remains the biggest reasons of unflinching love and support to Governor Umahi.

Watch Ebonyi State before Governor Umahi became the Governor...

Watch Ebonyi State under Governor Umahi.

To God be the glory.

APC.
Next Level

Ogbuatu Chidi Simbad
State Publicity Secretary APC, Ebonyi State.

Before and After: Governor Umahi's Infrastructural Transformation of Ebonyi State.

The caretaker Committee Chairman of the ruling APC, Hon Stanley Okoro Emegha, has continued his unity tour.

Today, he visited one of the founding fathers of PDP & APC in the state, Hon. Chief James Nweke, a father by every sense of the word.
The Chairman who stated his mission to include paying homages, building bridges, familiarization and seeking counselling, thanked Chief James for the warm welcome and told him about his plan for all inclusive leadership where everyone is paid his due respect and recognition.

In reply, Chief James Nweke assured the chairman that he started well. He eulogized the governor for taking the bold step and joining the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He prayed the governor & the party to give no ear to detractors especially the former SGF whose stock in trade is ranting and maligning/fighting those who helped him to climb the ladder.

Chief James further assured the Governor and the chairman of his total support for the administration and government of His Excellency the governor and the APC.

The Chairman, further visited Chief Peter Ogali and Chief John Williams Nwode, former
Ezza North DC Coordinator. The APC stalwarts prayed for support for the chairman to enable him succeed in his beautiful agenda for the party and assured His Excellency of their continued support for the government and her programmes.

Today, the Edda people came out en masse, cheerfully to formalize their unalloyed support to the administration and government of His Excellency, Chief Engr David Nweze Umahi FNATE FNSE.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of Afikpo South LGA, Hon Barr. Eni Uduma Chima, thanked his Excellency for uniting Edda again, by joining the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and giving them a chance to join with him. He mentioned a few elders that were otherwise estranged and divided by party lines, who by the grace of God are back to the fold, thereby uniting Edda.

Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha, the caretaker chairman of Ebonyi State APC, in his remarks, noted that Edda is the most favoured by the recent political developments. He said that the defection of His Excellency to the ruling APC, is simply miraculous and a prayer answered for the Edda people, as they all can now sit together and chart the course of Edda as one people.

However, the chairman noted that they've not come, just to announce that the entire Edda is APC, but to inform the people, that Edda occupying the party chair position, should play a pivotal role in the state polity. He maintained that have a bigger work of going across board, even to other LGA's and bring more people to the APC, despite party lines. He explained that he's not the party chairman alone but the entire Edda Okigbo clan is.

The chairman implored the kings and elders of the land, to call back their son at the national assembly to his senses, so he'll not bring disrepute to the entire Edda Okigbo clan, as it is not the usual character of an elder man to be ungrateful or not trustworthy.

Chief Dr Micheal Okoro A.K.A Vote for Jesus, an elder of the clan and a critical stakeholder of the APC, who is among those earlier alienated from his people as a result of different political affiliations, was the most excited. He couldn't hide his joy about the unity that's now in Edda polity and admonished the people to take this as a call from God for Edda to be one.
He said that the strong PDP has collapsed into a strong APC to form a stronger Edda people, who embraced APC.. he ensured that there's no more an Edda person in PDP and that if paradventure there's anyone left, they'll all come into the fold before the end of 2 weeks, he joyously praised God and the governor for bringing this day to pass.

Chief Ejem Okoro, Dr Udo Orji Okoro, Chief Humphrey Amah, Chief Nkama Nkama Ude, Hon Mrs Dorathy Obasi, Fmr Deputy Speaker EBHA, Hon Prince Nkemka Onuma, member EBHA, Chief Barr. George Ukpai, Mr Okenwa Nnachi Uka and a host of other major stakeholders spoke in accord, supporting the defection of His Excellency to the ruling APC.
All the stakeholders thanked Engr Dave Umahi for nominating their son as the caretaker chairman of Ebonyi State APC and pledged their support to the success of Hon Stanley Okoro Emegha and the gov't of Engr Dave Umahi.

In conclusion, Ezeogo Charles Azuenya admonished his people to close ranks and sustain the peace that's been brought to their kingdom.
He dismissed the notion that kings and elders should not have political affiliations as nonesense and insisted that his stool will stand behind the majority of his people who have brought this message of hope and unity to their land.
He reiterated their support to the gov't of Engr Dave Umahi and prayed him to make the position of party chairmanship permanent on their son in due time.

The vote of thanks was given by Hon. Okechukwu Chima and in all, it was a wonderful outing by the greater Edda people.

Chukwuorji Igodo Esq.
For: The Publicity Secretary APC.

The visit to Engr. Paul Okorie (Action) by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, was eventful and successful.

The caretaker Committee Chairman of the ruling APC in Ebonyi State, Hon. Stanley Okoro, since assuming office, has made it a priority to visit all the critical stakeholders of the party..

Today he visited Action, a refined gentleman, one of the founders of our dear state. He welcomed the visit and was visibly excited to host the chairman, he pledged his willingness to work with the Governor and encouraged the chairman to take charge of the party and warned against unguarded utterances from both old and new members of APC.

In all, it was so exhilarating, the chairman thanked him and applauded the Governor who found him worthy to nominate him to the position.

Of a truth, His Excellency operates with a divine mandate, the choice of Hon. Stanley Okoro is nothing but divine.

Ebonyi is on the rise.