CHIEF Egwu Chima, a former Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ebonyi, has warned politicians in the state against hate speeches and inflammatory remarks to avoid hitting up the polity.

Chima, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke on Thursday in Abakaliki, while addressing newsmen.

Chima who was reacting to uncomplimentary remarks credited to Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi against some leaders of the APC in the state, decried verbal attacks on the leaders.

Chima, a member of the Governing Board of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), urged politicians to be ‘decent’ and shun remarks that could throw the state into needless political crisis.

The APC chieftain said that verbal assaults on the leaders of APC and name-calling portend bad open especially as the 2019 general elections draw nearer.

“My attention has been drawn to a recent media chat by  Gov. Dave Umahi, during which he tried to adduce reasons why he cannot join the APC.

“In the said media chat, the governor had described the party leaders, including Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, former Gov. Martin Elechi, Sen. Chris Nwankwo and others as failed leaders.

“As a former commissioner in the state and one of the founding fathers of Ebonyi, I feel gravely concerned about such statement coming from a highly placed public figure.

“The remarks are uncalled for and unwarranted because Onu as the first governor of Abia laid the foundation for the development of the state and left monumental legacies including the famous `Abia Tower.’

“The achievements of Elechi in the areas of human and infrastructure development cannot be quantified in material terms.

“Elechi’s enduring legacies include: over 36 bridges he built across the 13 local government areas of the state, ultra modern state secretariat complex, international market, three ultra modern rice clusters.

“He built the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation digital station, built Ukawu and Oferekpe water schemes, Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre and other enduring infrastructure.

“Elechi paid salaries of workers and paid gratuities to retired workers including regular payment of pensions.

“Leaders who committed their energies to the development of their people and state and made landmark achievements cannot be described as ‘failed’ leaders.

“They deserved to be eulogised and commended and not be cajoled and insulted,’’ Chima said.

The former commissioner urged the governor to focus more on making live meaningful and affordable to the citizenry. (NAN)

– Jul. 19, 2018 @ 19:19 GMT