Chairman Afikpo North local government area in Ebonyi state, Mr. Uchenna Ibiam, Thursday, said the communities in the area would witness peaceful elections come February and March 2023.
This is as the chairman urged the traditional rulers to influence their followers to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibiam disclosed this during a Christmas homage to the traditional rulers at the Palace of Ezeogo, Arch. Ewa Elechi, at Ohaisu community, Afikpo.
The chairman in his remark noted that the visit was to show respect to the traditional rulers.
He said, “We are here because of the respect we have for the elders. We must highly commend you people for the way and manner you are guiding Afikpo people.
“We are aware we are going into elections and we want to have a very peaceful election, elections without bloodshed. You know people who are not fit, who do not have supporters for the elections will gang up to bring violence to each ward but it can’t happen under our watch in Afikpo North.
“They will instigate problems and still be the ones to raise alarm, they are not comfortable with the peaceful atmosphere of Afikpo because they believe by now there will be a crisis in all communities in the LGA but they are not God because we have people like you that are leading us well, at the election day everybody will sit peacefully and watch the process move smoothly.
“Another reason we are here is to plead with you knowing that the election is around the corner and that you command respect among your people, it’s time you tell them the directions Afikpo North is going. That direction is to vote for Dave Umahi for Senate and vote for APC at all levels knowing that by the grace of God when we achieve our votes more dividend will come to us.
“The party has given Afikpo the slot of Deputy governor in the person of Princess Obila and more will still come to us”.
Also speaking, the Director General of Divine mandate campaign council, Engr. Timothy Nwachi, and the chairman of the campaign council Hon. Christopher Omo-Isu, appealed for support to the candidates of the party in the forthcoming elections.
In their separate speeches, Nwachi said, “We need you most at this point because of your experience in human relationships, because of your experience in terms of societal management, in terms of crisis management, in all these, it is non you are to be tutored on how it will be done.
“But to God be the glory of the divine mandate as long as Afikpo North is concerned know exactly the role you can play for us. For instance your Highness, we know your followers, we know your kingdom and we know the importance of your kingdom in the forthcoming 2023 general elections and we have come to plead with you to speak to your subject, for the sake of good governance.
“We look upon you as the chairman of Afikpo traditional rulers to give us support.”
Chief Omo Isu on his part said, “We have never backed up any battle, or competition without coming to you, and any time we do we get desired results that is why we have come here for your blessings.
“This government we are going for loves Afikpo to have selected a woman and our daughter to be the deputy governor, it is the first time in the history of our state and APC in the state made this choice, we, therefore, need to support them for that singular gesture.
“Everybody should vote APC from A, we can not say let’s vote APC in the governor and another party for other positions, that is not our pattern it is APC in all positions that our people need to vote for that is why we are soliciting for your blessing in this race”.
Responding, Ezeogo Ewa Elechi appreciated the local government chairman and his entourage saying that they follow the part that is good for the Afikpo people.
He promised to educate their subjects on the need to obtain their voter cards to participate in the forthcoming election.
“The issue now is what is good for ehugbo, if you are not convinced about what is good for Ehugbo you shouldn’t be here, as you are here now it shows that you have the interest of Ehugbo at heart.
“All we need to do now is to sharpen the politicalism in us”.
The traditional rulers promised to educate their subjects on the need to obtain their voter cards and participate in the forthcoming election.
