Stakeholders in Izzi land of Ebonyi have faulted the endorsement of Mr Francis Nwifiru, embattled Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly traditional rulers in the area for governorship position in 2023.
The position of the stakeholders is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abakaliki and made available to newsmen.
The statement was signed by 16 persons drawn from different segments of Izzi clan including; Chiefs Michael Udenwe, Godwin Nwode, Nick Ochigbo and Uchenna Nshii.
Other signatories include; Dr Benjamin Nwoba , Messrs Joseph Nwovu, Abraham Chima, Henry Onyebuchi, Alex Oshim, Jerome Onyeka, Michael Egbedike and Reuben Nwankwo among others.
According to the statement, the alleged endorsement of the speaker by the traditional rulers is clear violation of the directive issued by critical stakeholders and leaders from Izzi land urging them to stay away from partisan politics.
Gov. Dave Umahi had recently at a meeting with key stakeholders from Izzi land requested them to nominate two aspirants from the All Progressives Congress (APC), to be chosen as standard bearer for the party in 2023 governorship election.
The stakeholders noted that at a meeting of Izzi stakeholders held at the house of Sen. Chris Nwankwo, on Sunday, April 3, that a decision was reached that traditional rulers from Izzi should stay out of politics and shun any call or plans to drag them into partisan politics.
The statement said that the decision was taken in order to absolve the royal fathers from needless distractions and to enhance their political neutrality as the politics of 2023 drew closer.
It further noted that involvement of the traditional rulers in active politics, in any form whatsoever, including endorsing aspirants for the forthcoming elections would distract them from their role as fathers and leaders of the various communities in Izzi.
Mr Francis Nwifiru, embattled Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly
The statement read in part: “The attention of stakeholders from Izzi clan of Ebonyi has been drawn to a purported statement issued by some traditional rulers of Izzi at a courtesy visit to the Director General of Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC), Chief Timothy Nwachi.
“The royal fathers had on Monday, April 4 during the visit endorsed the embattled Speaker of Ebonyi House of Assembly, Mr Francis Nwifuru for the position of governor.
“The action of the selected traditional rulers was against the advice of these critical stakeholders not to involve themselves in partisan politics.
“By endorsing one aspirant in a contest where many prominent Izzi sons in the platform of the APC are also vying for the same position goes against the ethics of their traditional functions, equity and fair play.
“That the traditional rulers by their purported endorsement have created a situation capable of causing a breach of the peace in Izzi and Ebonyi in general, especially at this time of heightened security tension in the country.
“That since Izzi stakeholders are still deliberating on the issue to make recommendations to the governor, it is not only wrong but calamitous for the traditional rulers to endorse an aspirant.
“That we wish to remind the traditional rulers that their primary duties are to be the custodian of the culture and traditions of the people; carter for the welfare and progress of their people, adjudicate on disputes in their communities and to work to secure them.
” That we call on the traditional rulers to recant and retract their statement and tender apology to the Izzi people publicly through the media.
“That we call on right thinking and well-meaning Ebonyi indegines to disregard the statement as it is only God and the generality of Ebonyi voters that can determine who becomes the next governor of Ebonyi in 2023.”
The group urged the state government to call on the traditional rulers to order and direct them not to be involved in politics stressing that further interference might result to a breach of the peace among the Izzi people and Ebonyi in general.
Our correspondent reports that Izzi is a clan in Ebonyi north, the zone where it is expected that the next governor of Ebonyi will come from.
The clan has prominent men who have interest in the position especially Engr. Elias Mbam the current chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation & Fiscal Commission who is rumoured to be consulting seriously for the position in the APC, and others in the party. In the PDP, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, former Minister of State for Health and the serving House of Representatives member, Chief Sylvester Ogbaga both and many others have made known their intention to run.
Izzi clan comprised the Izzi speaking people of Abakaliki, Izzi and Ebonyi local government areas of the state.
