2023: Where’s equity if presidency not zoned to South East Zone, Umahi asks Nigerians
From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State has declared that zoning the presidential position out from the South-East geopolitical region of Nigeria in 2023 would be a true interpretation of the sensation surrounding the marginalization of the zone.
Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, made this assertion, Friday at the new Executive Chambers, Ochudo Centenary City, Abkaliki, during a two-day working visit of President Muhammad Buhari.
Governor Umahi, however, called for zoning of the 2023 Presidency to the South East for the sake of equity, justice and fairness, while expressing optimism that President Buhari would work in the favour of the zone to actualize its longing for the presidency.
“He is one of us and will continue to be one of us if the basis of asking for Presidency is zoned to the South East is on equity and justice and it is later zoned to South and our brothers in South-South and South-West lay claim to it, then where is the equity, where is the justice and where is the fairness.
“All those angling for one position or the other can only have it if there is Nigeria, so I enjoin Nigerians to embrace a little bit of Patriotism,” he said.
Governor Umahi thanked the President for coming to inaugurate the litany of projects constructed by his administration, commending him for the takeover of the King David University of Medical Sciences Uburu by the federal government under his watch.
Umahi noted that “the second Niger Bridge as political brainwashing for our people, by October we would be going over that Bridge, we are very grateful, look at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, today we have a very wonderful Airport and I urge the South East People to speak out for the world to know what Mr President has done for us.
“We are men and women of honours in this State and we do not forget favours done for us.
“We have got ourselves to a very pitiable situation, I never for once supported the IPOB approach, I never did.”
Our correspondent reports that President Buhari on the same Friday met with the South-East Leaders and Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Abakaliki during his two-day working visit to Ebonyi State at the newly built State Executive Council Chambers, Ochoudo Centenary City by Governor Umahi’s led administration.
Addressing the stakeholders, President Buhari commended Governor Umahi and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the warm reception and solidarity with his administration.
He said: “Today I witnessed and also commissioned some projects that were designed to upgrade the fortunes of the Ebonyi people.
“What I have seen since my arrival has given me a new outlook of the State from what it used to be like in 2017, what Umahi has done has elicited rivalry among States such that people are now holding their Executive responsible for delivery of democracy dividends.”
The President also cited the release of funds for the Solid Minerals Development Fund in the South East as part of efforts to swell the economy of the Zone.
He pointed out that the Federal government was open to allowing the law to take its course in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu and equally assured of his commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections in 2023.
Recall that the National President, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor represented by Chief Peter Aneke, congratulated Governor Umahi for the massive infrastructural development in the State while commending the constant show of love to the South-East zone particularly Ebonyi State since his assumption of office.
The President General assured that the South-East would not support the break up of Nigeria but would stand for a united Nigeria where equity, justice and fairness be upheld steadily.
On his part, the Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Charles Mkpuma appreciated the President for his love for the people of the South East region manifested in infrastructural projects embarked upon by the Federal Government in the Zone.
He called on the President to uphold the rotation of the Presidency to ensure that Ndigbo succeeds him in 2023.
Eze Mkpuma appealed to the President to use his good office to ensure unconditional release of incarcerated Nnamdi Kanu, assuring that negotiations were on to reconcile aggrieved persons in the Zone.
An elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu represented by Chief Mbazulike Amaechi pleaded for the unwavering commitment of the Federal government to tackling insecurity in the country, particularly the South-East Zone.
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, South East, Reverend Father Abraham Nwali prayed for peace and security of Nigeria and the South East Zone.
“Our Nation is currently challenged with security and societal conflicts, we request that we embrace equity, fairness, and justice among all political parties as we approach a transition year,” he hinted.
Reverend Father Nwali prayed to God to continue to strengthen the President to continue to saddle his responsibility to the benefit of mankind.
