Okposi, Ohaozara, Ebonyi State

Land dispute: MASSOB-BIM berates security agents over killing of 4 members, others in Ebonyi

Thu Sep 7th, 2017 - Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu
ABAKALIKI – THE Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Biafra Independent Movement, BIM, Thursday accused security agents posted to the location of the land dispute between Izzi and Ikwo local government area of the State of being bias, corrupt and insensitive to the security of lives and property of those affected in the areas.

Addressing newsmen in Abakaliki, the leader of MASSOB-BIM in Ebonyi State, Mr. Nwifuru John who expressed shock and dismay over the way and manner the crisis was being handled in the state alleged that four members of his group have been killed as a result of the incident bordering on land dispute.

He called on both State and Federal government not to fold its arms and allow the incident degenerate into a full scale war that will not benefit the state and the entire Ebonyi people.

He threatened that if nothing was done to urgently salvage the ugly episode existing between Izzi and Ikwo LGA, MASSOB-BIM might be tempted to drop its non-violent disposition to ensure that peace returns to the affected communities in the StateMASSOB-BIM members on parade

According to him, it was sad to see brothers’ fight against themselves over land which is less important compared to the sanctity of human lives

“We, Massobians are angry with what we are seeing; the government should not watch two brothers to kill themselves. We saw the pictures of children and pregnant women killed as a result of the crisis. We are not happy; the cause is as a result of land tussle. We have been little children and pregnant woman is killed. It is unfair.

“We are pleading with the federal government and state government to look into the crisis; the security agents are not doing their job in the area. They are not concerned about the citizens but their own selfish interest. 4 Massobians had been killed as a result of the crisis by Ikwo people; they were sent there and they did not come back”.

APC factions clash over Umahi’s $150m loan request

By Peter Okutu ABAKALIKI—THERE was mild tension in Ebonyi State following the rallies organised by two factions of All Progressives Congress, APC, led by Senator Julius Ucha and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, to celebrate President Muhammadu Buhari’s return to Nigeria after his medical trip to London and to address the state government’s proposed $150 million loan.

The loan is being sourced from the African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank for construction of over 198 kilometre road in the state.

While one rally kicked against the loan request, a counter rally by another APC faction supported the $150 million loan request by the state government . These parallel rallies and protests affected human and vehicular movements in Abakaliki, the state capital as security agents were on hand to forestall breakdown of law and order. Two factions loyal to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya and governorship candidate of the party in 2015 general election, Senator Julius Ucha, have been battling for supremacy since the conduct of the last congress in the state. Onu’s faction of the party has Eze Nwachukwu as its chairman while Ucha’s faction has Ben Nwaobsi as chairman. Ucha’s faction had distanced itself from the rally against the proposed $150 million loan by the state government and called on its members to disregard the rally. Earlier in a statement, the state chairman of the APC, Ben Nwaobasi, called on members of the party in the state to disregard the anti $150 million loan rally, adding that the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council, FEC, had already approved the loan for the development of the state and construction of the ring road, which would benefit 8 local government areas of the state. “We are against the protest. We have told our members to disregard Nwachukwu and his group. They are not speaking for APC. What we want is development and that is why the president is not resting on his oars to ensure that he delivers. Anybody who is attacking the President for aiding development in Ebonyi State is anti-people. We must not strangulate the progress and development of our state because we are in opposition in the state. The president has emphasized that he belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody.” APC should put its house in order —Umahi Meanwhile, Governor David Umahi has warned the warring factions against further breakdown of law and order in the state through their rallies and counter rallies. The governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, noted that in as much as the state government is not oblivious of the fact that opposition is a veritable ingredient of democracy, all political actors in the APC should imbibe the rule of the game by conducting themselves in a manner that will not pose security threats to the state. He said: “The governor condemns seriously the activities of the two factions of APC and advised them to put their house in order as the state government will not fold its arms to allow few political hawks drag the state back.”

Hmmm.... a win over conversational weapon I guess. Truth is immortal! But then, a long stay of injustice inevitably gives birth to a strong belligerent child..... IDEOLOGY., hence Biafra Republic. It is therefore too late to cry when the head is severed! All Hail Biafra!!

"We are sorry Igbos, Nigeria cannot survive without you" In this opinion by Femi Arbisala, he examines the role Igbos have played in the development of the country, concluding they alone have made the country better.

PDP sweeps Ebonyi chairmanship councilorship election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the chairmanship seats of the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi in the Saturday local council polls.
Reports have it that the party also won all the councillorship seats in the 171 wards of the state.
Mr Jossy Eze, Chairman of the Ebonyi state Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) announced this on Sunday at the commission’s headquarters in Abakaliki while declaring result of the polls.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the chairmanship seats of the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi in the Saturday local council polls.

According to him, seven political parties participated in the elections out of the 40 registered parties in the state including the PDP and the All Progressive Congress (APC)
“The other parties that contested in the elections include: African Democratic Party (ADC), African Peoples Party (APA) Merger Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP) Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP).
“The PDP’s candidate in Abakaliki LGA, Emmanuel Nwangele won with 65, 036 votes, Ogbonnaya Oko Enyim won in Afikpo LGA with 55, 808, Eni Uduma-Chima Afikpo South 50, 894, Juliet Nwaogbaga—Ebonyi, 54, 527 and Nora Aloh—Ezza North, 58, 423 votes.
“The PDP candidate in Ezza South LGA, Sunday Ogodo won with
50, 576 votes, John Nnabo—Ikwo, 77, 132, Henry Eze—Ishiellu,
68, 263, Ude Ogbonnaya—Ivo, 28, 787 Paul Nwogha—Izzi, 84,
088, Clement Odaa—Ohaukwu,84, 088, Nkechi Iyioku— Ohaozara, 55, 698 and Felix Igboke—Onicha,59, 698 votes,” he said.
Eze declared that the APC trailed in a distant second position with an accumulated 5, 900 votes while most of the other parties did not record a single vote in most LGA’s.

He commended the electorate, party agents, security officials observers, among other stakeholders, for ensuring a smooth and credible electoral process, noting that cases of electoral disturbances were very minimal.
“We have been able to deliver a credible election to Ebonyi people despite inherent challenges as the state has the enviable record of conducting LGA elections in the country, every three years,” he said.
Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, state PDP Chairman, congratulated the party faithful for the victory and noted that it was an indication of what to expect in the state, in the 2019 genera elections.
“This resounding success has proved that PDP is the only party which viably exists in Ebonyi and we are not going to rest on our oars until such feat is repeated in 2019,” he said.
Mr Splendour Eze, state Chairman of the Advanced Congress for Democrats (ACD) hailed the smooth conduct of the election but regretted that his party did not participate in it.
Eze, who is the state Secretary of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), lamented that the current economic hardship in the country made most parties not to participate in the election.
“The state governor was magnanimous to offset 50 per cent of the nomination fees of N500, 000 for chairmanship candidates and N100, 000 for councillorship positions, for registered parties in the state.
“The balance despite the subsidy was still high as it was still not within the reach of most parties,” he said.
Miss Isabella Monye, an Election Observer from Anambra, however, disputed the high figures released by EBSIEC for the elections, noting that it did not reflect what observers witnessed in various polling units.
“During our monitoring on Saturday we observed that the turnout for the election was poor so I wonder where EBSIEC got these high figures from,” she said.

I am proudly Igbo.
•The first Black Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan was an Igbo man named Professor Kenneth D**e.
•The first Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos was an Igbo man named Professor Eni Njoku.
•The first Nigerian Rector of the then Yaba College of Technology was also an Igbo man
The first Nigerian Professor of Mathematics was an Igbo man named Professor Chike Obi – the man who solved Fermat’s Last Theorem. He was followed by another Igbo man named Professor James Ezeilo, Professor of Differential Calculus and the founder of the Ezeilo Constant.
The first Nigerian professor of history was an Igbo man Professor Kenneth D**e who also became the first black vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
The first Nigerian Professor of Botany was an Igbo man named Professor Eni Njoku. He went on to become the very first vice chancellor of the university of LAGOS.
The first Nigerian Professor of Anatomy and Physiology is Professor Chike Edozien an Igbo man who is also the current Obi of Asaba.
The first Nigerian Professor of Physics was Professor Okoye an Igbo man who became a Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA in 1960. He was followed by the likes of Professor Alexander Anumalu who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Physics three times for his research in Intermediate Quantum Physics.
In Nuclear Physics and Chemistry – again another Igbo man – Professor Frank Ndili who gained a Ph.D in his early ’20s at Cambridge Univesity in Nuclear Physics and Chemistry in the early ’60s. This young Asaba man had made a First Class in Physics and Mathematics at the then University College Ibadan in the early ’50s.
First Professor of Statistics – Professor Adichie who’s research on Non-Parametric Statistics led to new areas in statistical research.
What about the first Nigerian Professor of Medicine – Professor Kodilinye – he was appointed a Professor of Medicine at the University of London in 1952. He later became the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka after the war.
What about Astronomy – again another Igbo man was the first Professor of Astronomy – please, look up Professor Ntukoju – he was the first to earn a double Ph.D in Astronomy and Mathematics.
Let’s go to the Social Sciences – Demography and statistical research into population studies – again another Igbo man – Professor Okonjo who set up the first Centre for Population Research in Ibadan in the early ’60s. A double Ph.D in Mathematics and Economics.
Philosophy – Professor G D Okafor, who became a Professor of Philosophy at the Amherst College USA in 1953.
Economics – Dr. Pius Okigbo who became a visiting scholar and Professor of Economics at the University of London in 1954. He is also the first Nigerian Ph.D in Economics.
Theology and theological research – Professor Njoku who became the first Nigerian to earn a Ph.D in Theology from Queens University Belfast in Ireland. He was appointed a Professor of Theology at the University College Zambia in 1952.
The Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) has a record of the state with the highest number of professors in Nigeria and as at 2014 that state is Imo State. You can go to this commission and verify.
Anambra state was the first in WAEC, UNITY SCHOOLS ENTERANCE EXAMS, NECO AND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Therefore, whenever some people address you Igbos as mere traders and Keke riders, tell them that in addition to doing very well in business, science, technology and SPORTS you are also ahead in academia. No amount of hatred can change blessings from God.IF YOU ARE FROM IGBO, SAY "I AM"

Don't forget that the first VC of FUTY was also an Igbo man

I am proud to be one. Thank you CHIUKWUOKIKEABIAMA!

The first black man to become minister of education in Nigeria was an Igbo man -Aja nwachukwu 1958-1965

Poor Hygiene, Poverty, Ignorance Fuel Lassa Fever Epidemic In Nigeria

Situation may be prelude to another Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa
Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMoH) in a public alert last week noted that Lassa fever is caused by infection with the Lassa virus, which is spread by rats that live in large numbers in West, Central, and East Africa. They carry the virus in their urine and faeces and live in homes and areas where food is stored

The fresh outbreak of another haemorrhagic fever (Lassa fever) across 10 states in the country, has killed over 40 persons and infected over 86, that is 46.51 per cent mortality rate, may be a prelude to possibly another outbreak of Ebola.

Reasons: Analysis shows the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Lassa fever, Dengue fever and Yellow fever are some of the haemorrhagic fevers that have been reported in Nigeria in the last three years; and that an outbreak of Lassa fever in early 2014 in Edo State and some other states heralded the Ebola outbreak in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

Several studies have shown that the spread of Lassa fever in a number of communities in different parts of the country was as a result of poor personal hygiene.

The primary animal host of the Lassa virus is the Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis), an animal found in most of sub-Saharan Africa. The virus is probably transmitted by contact with the faeces or urine of animals accessing grain stores in residences.

Also, a new study published Tuesday in PLOS suggests that areas of increased poverty are associated with higher rates of Ebola virus transmission.

According to the study, since October 2014 the Ebola epidemic in West Africa has been diminishing and efforts have shifted from emergency response to prevention and mitigation of future outbreaks.

No vaccine for Lassa fever is currently available for use in humans, and the only available drug, ribavirin, is only effective if administered early in infection (within the first six days after disease onset).

Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of illnesses caused by four families of viruses. These include the Ebola and Marburg, Lassa fever, and yellow fever viruses. VHFs have common features: they affect many organs, they damage the blood vessels, and they affect the body’s ability to regulate itself.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Viral haemorrhagic fever is a general term for a severe illness, sometimes associated with bleeding, that may be caused by a number of viruses. The term is usually applied to disease caused by Arenaviridae (Lassa fever, Junin and Machupo), Bunyaviridae (Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Rift Valley Fever, Hantaan haemorrhagic fevers), Filoviridae (Ebola and Marburg) and Flaviviridae (yellow fever, dengue, Omsk haemorrhagic fever, Kyasanur forest disease).

According to Wikipedia, Lassa frequently infects people in West Africa. It results in 300,000 to 500,000 cases annually and causes about 5,000 deaths each year. Outbreaks of the disease have been observed in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Central African Republic.

Signs and symptoms

In 80 per cent of cases, the disease is asymptomatic, but in the remaining 20 per cent, it takes a complicated course.

The symptoms of Lassa fever typically occur one to three weeks after the patient comes into contact with the virus. These include fever, retrosternal pain (pain behind the chest wall), sore throat, back pain, cough, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, facial swelling, proteinuria (protein in the urine), and mucosal bleeding. Neurological problems have also been described, including hearing loss, tremors, and encephalitis.

Clinically, Lassa fever infections are difficult to distinguish from other viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg, and from more common febrile illnesses such as malaria.

The virus is excreted in urine for three to nine weeks and in semen for three months.

According to the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, the first case of the current outbreaks was reported from Bauchi State in November 2015, followed by cases reported by Kano State and subsequently the other six states. Indeed, Nigeria has been experiencing Lassa fever outbreak in the past six weeks in Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo and Oyo states.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government said measures had been put in place to curtail further spread and reduce mortality among those affected, however, ruled out placing travel restrictions from and to areas currently affected.

Former Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, had in April 2014, before the first case of Ebola was reported in July 2014, warned after outbreaks of Lassa fever: “… Some of these viruses belong to a group that causes similar diseases like yellow fever, which for 18 years now, we have not had a single case, but 18 years ago it devastated Nigeria.

“It is also the cause of what is called haemorrhagic fever, then Lassa fever which you know has been ongoing. There are even parts of Nigeria where it is endemic like the northern part of Edo State; they record a case every week and it is also very deadly.”

Challenges and gaps


According to the WHO, in the early stages, Lassa fever is often misdiagnosed as influenza, typhoid or malaria, and as a result many patients fail to receive appropriate medical treatment. Making a correct diagnosis of Lassa fever is made difficult by the wide spectrum of clinical effects that manifest, ranging from asymptomatic to multi-organ system failure and death. The onset of the illness is typically indolent, with no specific symptoms that would distinguish it from other febrile illnesses. Early signs include fever, headache and general malaise, followed by a sore throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea in some cases. After four to seven days, many patients will start to feel better, but a small minority will proceed to display symptoms such as edema, hypertension, bleeding and shock. Death from Lassa fever most commonly occurs 10 to 14 days after symptom onset.

Meanwhile, Nigeria had through November 6, 2015, reported 270 Lassa fever cases from 12 states, according to data from Nigerian health officials. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), two Lassa fever deaths were reported in Kano State, last month.

A nationwide outbreak of Lassa fever in the 10 states, in March 2014, had killed at least 20 people with about 319 reported cases.

The affected states were Anambra, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau and Taraba.

The Lassa virus was first described in 1969 in the town of Lassa, in Borno State, Nigeria.

Poverty and haemorrhagic diseases like Lassa fever and Ebola

Meanwhile, researchers from the Liberian Ministry of Health and the Yale Center for Infectious Disease Modelling and Analysis evaluated 3532 Ebola cases reported in 2014 in order to quantify the impact of poverty on the transmission and spread of Ebola. They found that areas stricken by extreme poverty were more likely to be associated with high rates of Ebola transmission and spread.

According to the study, in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, 68 per cent of the population lives in slum neighborhoods characterized by overcrowding and lack of proper sanitation.

The researchers used two separate data sources to examine individuals reported as suspected, probable or confirmed Ebola cases. Communities were classified at three levels of socioeconomic status (high, medium and low) based on types of residence, sanitation availability and population density. A time-dependent stochastic model was used to evaluate transmission of the disease within and across the three different socioeconomic sub-populations.

However it was found that cases of Ebola in areas of low and middle socioeconomic status were associated with a higher number of personal contacts, increasing the likelihood of Ebola transmission. Ebola was also more likely transmitted from areas of lower socioeconomic status to higher ones, indicating that the disease is more likely to spread outwards from areas of poverty.

These findings suggest that areas of poverty can catalyze Ebola transmission both within and outside the community due to high contact with infected individuals and subsequently higher transmission rates. This provides a focus for Ebola prevention efforts in future. While areas of poverty often lack healthcare infrastructure, the researchers highlight that they have strong social networks that could be effectively used to engage community members in responding to outbreaks and combat emerging disease.

The researchers say while poverty has been associated with higher transmission rates during the 2014 Ebola outbreak it should not be seen as an insurmountable barrier to preventing the containment of future outbreaks.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa. The virus, a member of the virus family Arenaviridae, is a single-stranded RNA virus and is zoonotic, or animal-borne.

Lagos alerts residents

Meanwhile, worried about the outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of Nigeria leaving many dead and others hospitalized, the Lagos State Ministry of Health has alerted residents on how to protect their lives and those of others around them.

Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMoH) in a public alert last week noted that Lassa fever is caused by infection with the Lassa virus, which is spread by rats that live in large numbers in West, Central, and East Africa. They carry the virus in their urine and faeces and live in homes and areas where food is stored.

The ministry said people should suspect Lassa fever in persons who present above symptoms with a positive history of being in contact with a suspected or infected person or health worker who had treated either suspected or confirmed infected person.

Prevention and treatment

LSMoH, however, said Lassa fever could be treated. Antiviral drugs have been used successfully to treat Lassa fever. The earlier a person presents, the better the outcome of treatment.

For prevention and control of Lassa fever, the Lagos ministry urged the general public to:
*Avoid contact between rats and human beings.
*Observe good personal hygiene including hand washing with soap and running water regularly
*Disposal of waste properly and cleaning of the environment so that rats are not attracted
*Store foods in rat proof containers and cook all foods thoroughly before eating.
*Discourage rodents from entering the house by blocking all possible entry points
*For food manufacturers and handlers, do not spread food where rats can have access to it.
*The public should also report any cases of above symptoms or persistent high fever not responding to standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever to the nearest health center.
*All fluids from an infected person are extremely dangerous. Health workers are also advised to be at alert, wear personal protective equipment, observe universal basic precautions, nurse suspected cases in isolation and report same to the Local Government Area (LGA) or Ministry of Health immediately.

Contacts in cases of emergency

For more information, the LSMoH said people should please contact the Directorate of Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health on 08037170614, 08023169485.

Minister of Health advised: “Family members and healthcare workers are advised to always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons. No travel restrictions will be imposed from and to areas currently affected.

“Healthcare workers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa Fever should immediately contact the epidemiologist in the State Ministry of Health or call the Federal Ministry of Health using the following numbers- 08093810105,08163215251, 08031571667 and 08135050005.”

Poor Hygiene, Poverty, Ignorance Fuel Lassa Fever Epidemic In Nigeria | Bestnaira.com

Ndi ibe anyi, anyi agbaa ava! Ekpere m bu se Chineke nduru anyi nile duwota n'ava ovuu (2016) oma nara ekene vuru ivu ma mekwaa se anyi nweta nju ogonogo n'ehu isi ike n'eva Jisos, Amim. N'ime ava oma, onye tubeere anyi eka ojoo, se eka gbajie. Onye nere anyi enya ojoo, se enya kpue isi. Onye ntiekwara eka n'oku, se oku hukwee. Anyi je in'ejeje n'abata abata n'enwoo nsogbu obuna sita n'eva onye nwe-anyi bu JISOS...... Choro m su amim dika "udo n'onwu" na anonyereo

Court nullifies Ebonyi LGA election

Tue Dec 2nd, 2014 - Ebonyi

…as Ebonyi govt orders Council chairmen, Councillors to vacate office
By Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI – A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Tuesday, nullified the Local Government elections conducted by the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, on 5th Oct, 2013 across the thirteen (13) Local Government Areas of the state.

The court in a suit filed by one of the aspirant,Mr. Alieze Nwekpa ruled that the open ballot system used in the conduct of the election was inconsistent with the electoral act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The presiding judge, Justice Maureen Onyenetu further ruled that Ebonyi State House of Assembly which adopted Open Ballot system for the election acted utra-vires,adding that the amendment of the Local government electoral act by the House for the exercise was unconstitutional.

The judge noted that the plaintiff has the locus-standi to file the suit against the claim of the counsel to Ebonyi State House of Assembly that he has no right to do so.

The judge therefore,restrained EBSIEC,the 4th defendant from using the Open Ballot system to conduct local government elections in the state and set aside the local government elections conducted 5th October, 2013.

In a swift reaction, the counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. Ikechukwu Agbo who took over from the earlier counsel, Barr. M.Odoh,commended the court for the judgment.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy matters and rural development, Mr Celestine Nwali said the government has directed that banks should not honour any cheaque from the sacked chairmen.

Following, the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abakaliki, presided by Onyenetu J. nullifying the local government elections conducted in the State in October, 2013, Ebonyi State government yesterday directed the defunct 13 local government Chairmen and their Councillors to vacate their offices on Tuesday, 2nd Dec, 2014.

Ebonyi Guber: Health Minister, Chukwu emerges PDP consensus candidateon October 08, 2014 / in News 4:00 am

ABAKALIKI—The minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu was yesterday endorsed by the caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ebonyi State as a consensus candidate for the 2015 gubernatorial election.

Governor Martin Elechi presided at the enlarged stakeholders’ meeting where Chukwu was chosen.

Governor Elechi according to sources at the meeting which took place at the Government House said the choice of Chukwu was in the spirit of rotation as approved by the party.

The meeting which lasted over six hours comprised members of the state PDP caucus, law makers, stakeholders and youth leaders across the 13 local government areas of the State.

The meeting provided the platform for all interest groups to air their views over the lingering governorship position which was zoned to Ebonyi south senatorial district, specifically, Afikpo North LGA where Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu hails from.

According to feelers, the governor said zoning the governorship slot to the South was to compliment the immense contributions of late Dr. Akanu Ibiam in the state creation as he hailed from the area, Unwana Afikpo LGA of the state.

A source at the meeting quoted the governor as saying that “Ebonyi is a poor young state that is strong and there is no need for wasteful campaigns; we believe that our decision is a good one; we strongly believe in God.

“The message will go round; there is room for divergent views but ultimately we believe in consensus”.

There was no immediate reaction last night to the news, but there were feelers that a number of the frontline aspirants are set to confront the choice of Chukwu within and outside the party.

Ebonyi and the politics of succession

on October 06, 2014 / in Viewpoint 12:02 am / Comments

AS Ebonyi State marks her 18th anniversary of statehood, I congratulate all “Ebonyians” on this unique occasion. I urge all to reflect on the giant strides made by our able Governor Chief Martin Elechi in his bid to transform the state; keeping alive the dream of the founding fathers, I salute his patriotic and focused leadership qualities.

Please let us as Ebonyians unite to build a more virile state in keeping to the dream of the founding fathers; a dream of freedom; a dream of abundance; a dream of democratic dividends; a dream of growth and development; a dream that puts a smile on our faces and makes us proud of our citizenship.

Dear fellow Ebonyians! In a matter of days our state will begin, once again, an important journey; a historic journey; a journey of hope; a journey of promise; a journey that will require all of us to work in a collective effort to make Ebonyi better, safer, prosperous, peaceful and more united.

The Elechi-led administration has unarguably done marvelously well. The Governor and his team have demonstrated great commitment and zeal in turning around the plight of the Ebonyi people, he has laid a solid foundation for the full actualisation of the dreams of the founding fathers of the State of which he’s one.

As a matter of fact, any person or group of persons that mean well for Ebonyi State should by now be thoughtful of who is competent to take over the mantle of leadership and also ensure the continuity in building on the foundation our beloved elderly statesman has laid. In other word we need continuity.

We need someone who will share the same vision with Elechi, so he can continue from where he would stop with the clear view of how and where the journey had gone through. Undoubtedly, the people need someone who will steer the state with combined knowledge of resource management, politics and the mindset of a sportsman predisposed to accommodating and sharing with others the pains and gains of sustainable growth.

According to the masses, Governor Elechi’s successor should be somebody who has been close to him and would continue the good works he started. And not a new administration that comes with new vision, goals and plans that will end up establishing another foundation; and before you know it, the State begins to witness the abandoned projects here and there. The State is young with great mission and, as such, needs to be stabilised and focused. While its mission is to be the guiding light that will show the way for all to follow.

As Ebonyians, we are disturbed that Elechi has not openly indicated interest in any candidate. Many are asking if he had not for the past years groomed a competent successor who shares the same vision with him. The failure to groom a competent successor may not serve the state well since the state is still young, as whoever eventually becomes Governor may not share the same vision with him.

But one thing is certain for the tempo of development and transformations to be sustained: somebody who understands the vision of the present administration has to take up the mantle of leadership.

Since the incumbent Governor had at different occasions stressed that power would shift to the South in the spirit of fairness, justice and equity, we will soon know if the Governor is a man of his words. But the big question now is: Who does the cap fit from the South?

Going by this precedent from an opinion poll, many have tipped the current Deputy Governor Dave Nwaze Umahi as a suitable candidate to succeed Elechi, come 2015. Although Umahi is yet to declare interest to run for the governorship of the State in 2015, many groups are urging him to declare, especially now the State is in dire need of a sincere leader who would continue the good works of Chief Elechi.

Umahi was once asked by journalists when he was the PDP Chairman, what his next move would be after leaving office? He replied he would retire from active politics to his business and face with total commitment his charity services. Further asked, why total commitment to charity service, he replied: “God specifically mandated me to take care of the poor and less privileged in the society”. That was then.

Umahi has empowered some youths both in academic and artisanship, fed the hungry, empowered the poor, taken care of the weak and disabled, provided free health services for the sick, built up people who hitherto had no hope of rising up in life, guided and inspired the youths on the part of godliness, vision, success and greatness.

From personal experience this is a man who is open and accessible by all not minding your status in the society. He pays attention to all and does what he can to put a smile in people’s faces. His personal government is so organised in a way that people around him can’t stop the poor from accessing him. A chance meeting with him would confirm this. Sadly, there are those who desperately, out of malice, envy and fear because of their ambitions, want to tarnish his image by spreading false rumours and making the people to erroneously believe lies. You can’t run down another person to sell yourself. Otherwise, you’re only laying your foundation on a whirlwind.

As a vibrant and dynamic deputy, there hasn’t been any report of insubordination or disloyalty to his boss. He has managed to avoid anything that would drag him on a collision course with his boss. He has religiously followed the track of all the State’s developmental projects of his boss at the various project sites, including the mega Ofurekpe, Ukawu Water Schemes, etc. With the added advantage of being an engineer, he carefully monitors each project being executed by the State and sticks to total compliance of contracts agreements.

There may be some who out of malice, or envy would go to any length to ensure the right person does not emerge. I pray that God will give the Governor and the PDP stakeholders the divine wisdom to sift the wheat from the chaff and be circumspect in their choice of a candidate.

And he has save the state huge sums of money in terms of costing of projects. When as the State PDP Chairman, Umahi managed the party in a way that it was rancor- free and played by the rules. Under his watch, the party built a State Secretariat in Abakaliki, the Capital.

So impressed on the occasion of the official opening of the Secretariat that President Jonathan declared that the Ebonyi PDP’s Secretariat, built by Umahi as the State Chairman of the party is the best among the 36 state of the federation, describing it as only comparable to the national Secretariat of the party the President followed up by handing Umahi a $10,000 cash gift. This then prompt the party Chairman into beautifying the edifice. Also when he took over as the Deputy Governor, he changed the looks of the Deputy Governor’s Office and lodge into an enviable fantastic marble finishing. This is not just done only for his personal interest but also for the common good of all.

Opinion poll suggests he would perfectly fit into the shoes of Elechi, as his successor and make indelible marks that would launch the State into such developmental projects and programmes as he is known for. Although according to some political observers, deputies succeeding their bosses as Governor are rare in Nigerian politics at the same time, some noted that the best things in life are most times uncommon.

Although Like all humans, Umahi has his drawbacks but notwithstanding Umahi has, beyond doubt proven to be a good manager of men and resources. Governor Elechi had at a particular forum described Umahi as “the all conquering David Umahi”. Coming from a man not given to rhetoric’s, this testimony speaks volume about the personality of the Deputy Governor.

Governor Elechi had also on several occasions, without any iota of reservations, gladly allowed Umahi keep watch over the State on his behalf. The Governor never had cause to complain of any untoward conduct by his deputy. This is the level of confidence, cordiality and respect which has become the hall mark of Umahi’s relationship with his boss.

But unfortunately, all who are now engaging in these deadly campaigns of calumny against Umahi are doing so for one reason, to make our beloved Governor Elechi anoint their preferred candidate who already is secretly prepared to be anointed from the South.

Our only concern is the political heavy weights behind this already preferred candidate. These very class of Politicians now clogging around this “preferred candidate” will eventually end up not only forming the pillars of his government but will cage the new government just for their selfish interest. And then block the common people from having access to this new government (God forbid). We all know Power is a public trust held on behalf of the people! Our prayer which is in the interest of the common masses is that God will guide with wisdom those with the responsibility to making choices for the interest of the common good to do so with the fear of God.

The essence of Opinion Leaders is to guide the electorate right. I have taken the pains to list a few examples of which we can project Umahi’s abilities if given the opportunity. As we all know that the main aim of democracy is for a people to have the chance of electing the best persons to drive their society at a given time for the overall interest of the masses.

There may be some who out of malice, or envy would go to any length to ensure the right person does not emerge. I pray that God will give the Governor and the PDP Stakeholders the divine wisdom to sift the wheat from the chaff and be circumspect in their choice of a candidate.

Mr. Chinedu Daniel Obasi, a clergy, wrote from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.