By Adaeze Onuora, Abakaliki
A group known as "Ebonyi South Elite Class" Wednesday kicked against the zoning of the Ebonyi South zone senatorial seat to Onicha local government of the state.
Ebonyi South is made up of Afikpo, Edda, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo local government areas respectively. The Senatorial seat of the zone was left vacant following the resignation of the now Minister for works, Sen.David Umahi.
But the State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoned the position to Onicha LGA.
This move, the group through a statement by the National Coordinator ,Dr. James Eyinnaya described as an attempt to scheme out Chief Austin Umahi from contesting the senatorial district's bye-election scheduled for February 2024.
They noted that it was an attempt to edge out other LGAs especially Ohaozara where Austin hails from.
Mr. Eyinnaya further noted that reasons given by the SWC of APC that Onicha LGA does not occupying any political position of note was to misinform the general public.
The statement reads in part, 'Positions occupied by Onicha Local government.
ONICHA LGA - Prof. Monday Igwe,
Medical Director of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital.
Prof. Chigozie Ogbu - Vice Chancellor, Ebonyi state University.
Rt. Hon Valentine Okike - Commissioner
"Engr. Felix Igboke - Commissioner ( A great party candidate for House of Representatives which they refuse to vote for) now they are crying more than the bereaved.
Ogbonna Okike - SSA to the governor. ( Valetine Okike’s younger brother).
2 more SSA’s & 2 SA’s. Including the statutory and other appointments in the state.
Given more reasons why the position should not be zoned to Onicha LGA the statement further reads, "Contested positions:
Governorship PDP - Which they preferred and voted.
House of Representatives - APC - Which they rejected and Voted for Labour Party.
Senate - Labour Party - Which they contested and voted but failed.
"IVO - It is very important to note that the Labour Party candidate won the Ohanivo Seat because Onicha preferred to give their vote to Labour Party and betray APC.
"Inciting the state governor against the good people of Ohaozara is totally unacceptable. Such advise is capable of causing disunity within the party.
"The lead slogan of APC in the state is ONYE RUA ORIA(When you work you eat). Why abandoning it too early? Leaving people you believed in you and voted for you to undeservedly reward those who oppose you will encourage rebelliousness and disobedience".
"We call on the Executive Governor of our dear state His Excellency Rt Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru Ogbonna Nwifuru -The man whom Ohaozara people voted for and Onicha people voted against to ignore misinformation by these distractors".
Recall that in 2023, these people also worked against & tried to alter equity, fairness & justice agreement to stop His Excellency Rt Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru from becoming, the 4th Executive Governor of the Ebony State especially, your leading opposition came from Onicha LGA & to prove their determination to thwart another destiny APC lost in Onicha local government scoring PDP (15,403) &
APC (5,140).
Ndi Ohaozara who lead the campaign proved their commitment with result APC (10,903) & PDP (5003) overcoming every form persuasion from an ambition that is against equity that produced Gov. Nwifuru.
We also believe that priority should be given to those worked for your success. Don’t reward disobedience. Charity begins at home.
Let it also be known that Onicha alone cannot produce the winning result. The Labour Party candidate is from there.
Equity says Ohaozara ... Why the sudden Change? Let us avoid disunity within the party.
