By Anayo Ezugwu

A political interest group in support of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has purchased the nomination form for the governor. The group called David Umahi Nweze Akubaraoha Ebonyi Transformation Agenda, DUNAETA, is also ready to champion the re-election bid of the governor.

Monica Eze, president of the group, said the governor’s acceptance to contest in the forthcoming election is an answer to the prayers of the Ebonyi State citizens for the continuation of his developmental projects in the state. Eze, in a press statement made available to Realnews on Monday said Governor Umahi is determined to turn the state into one of the best in Nigeria.

She said Governor Umahi has in the last three years achieved more than any governor in the history of democracy in Ebonyi state. Based on this, she said the governor deserves not just an unbroken second term but an un-opposed second term come 2019. Eze pleads with the Ebonyi people to consider the monumental feats achieved by the administration of Umahi to re-elect him to accomplish his mission and vision of handing over a state that is the most beautiful with the best economy and richest in the country.

In highlighting Governor umahi’s achievements, Eze said the governor had promised to return power to Abakaliki bloc in 2023 after his second term. She reiterated that it will be unfortunate for some elements like Benard Odoh, former secretary to the Ebonyi State government, who is from the central zone of the state to contemplate of contesting the gubernatorial election at this period.

According to her, Odoh’s actions will thwart the zoning arrangement of the state as contained in the Ebonyi Charter of Equity by the founding fathers of the State that envisioned that power should rotate among the three senatorial zones of this State.

“Ebonyi state has a charter of equity which stipulates rotation of the governorship position of Ebonyi state among Ebonyi North, Ebonyi Central and Ebonyi South senatorial districts in that order. The second clause of this solemn charter which is linked with the first clause is that each of the occupants of the seat has a right to two unbroken tenures.

“Based on this Charter, Dr. Sam O. Egwu from the Northern zone of the State was elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2003. In the same vein Chief Martin Elechi from Ebonyi Central zone was duly elected as the Governor of the State in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. These two former Governors had two unbroken tenures then I wonder why some people are contemplating to deny both the incumbent Governor and the southern zone of a second tenure as benefited by these two former Governors in the persons of Dr Egwu (North) and Chief Elechi (Central),” she questioned.

The nomination form for the governor was received by Kelechi Igwe, deputy governor of the state at the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abakaliki the State capital. He received the form amidst fanfare and jubilation by supporters who came out to witness the event.

Igwe thanked the State Executive Council members for the gesture and support in acquiring the gubernatorial nomination form for Umahi’s re-election bid. “I am flabbergasted by the love expressed by Exco members, support groups, party loyalists and friends who came together to raise funds  for the gubernatorial nomination form of Governor Umahi under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,” he said.

– Sept. 11, 2018 @ 17:19 GMT |