By Ewa Innocent, Abakaliki
Ebonyi stakeholders comprising the Elders Council, ALGON,Traditional Rulers and Town Union Presidents have condemned in entirety the recent press conference at Abuja by the National Assembly members of Ebonyi state extraction, in which they cast aspersion on the person of governor David Umahi.
In a joint press briefing held at EXCO chambers, old government house, Abakaliki, they described the press conference as ill conceived and unbecoming of elected representatives who should bring peace and development to the state through effective representations.
The Chairman, Ebonyi Elders Forum, Chief Ben Okah, while condemning their attitude, said it was a total display of ingratitude and show of shame from the national Assembly members, who, instead of coming home to assist in tackling the security challenges confronting the state and the nation, decided to attack the governor who has done much in the area of peace and rapid development.
He noted that the governor had made swift responses to the recent attacks by herdsmen at Egedegede in Ishielu local government area and Umuogodakpu Ngbo, Ohaukwu local government, by inviting the Vice President of Nigeria, professor Yemi Osinbanjo who came on behalf of Mr President.
In his words: “I think it is unwholesome and destructive for a cream of people who were voted by Ebonyi people to stay outside the state and cast dangerous aspersion against the governor of our state. What do they want people outside to believe about the state? Nobody should bring crisis to Ebonyi state”.
He advised the National Assembly members to turn a new leaf as the people of the state are solidly behind the governor, and would not take lightly their unwholesome attitude anymore.
The ALGON Chairman, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku who spoke on behalf of the 13 local government Chairmen in the state, said the formation of EBUBEAGU security outfit was not meant to witchhunt any individual or political party, but to ensure the protection of lives and property, and called on the people of the state to continue to give their unflinching support to the governor, Engr. David Umahi.
For his part, the Ikwo local government council boss, Elder Steven Orogwu, while commending governor David Umahi for his tremendous achievements in the state,said EBUBEAGU security outfit has since its establishment recorded much success in the reduction of crime in Ebonyi state.
Also, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Barr. Samuel Okoronkwo, warned “misguided politicians in the state to desist from unfounded and unverified allegations against governor David Umahi”, stressing that the formation of EBUBEAGU was purely the entire decision of the people in the state.
Others who spoke during the briefing include; the traditional rulers from the three senatorial zones of the state, including His Royal Highness, Ezeogo Sunday Oketa of Ebonyi North zone; Ezeogo Dominic Alo, Ebonyi Central; Ezeogo Ewa Elechi, Ebonyi south zone; and also the president of all town union presidents in the state, Chief Ugochukwu Akpa.
They all spoke in favour of the formation of EBUBEAGU security outfit which they said, was a collective decision meant to fight crime in the state, and warned against politicizing security issues.
