Ebonyi 2027: Why Ezza elders, elites ought to help credible candidates – Oluchukwu

A political activist and commentator, Paschal Oluchukwu Omaka, has urged the individuals of Ezza Ezekuna in Ebonyi state to help candidates who’ve demonstrated real dedication to the neighborhood forward of the 2027 common elections.

Oluchukwu, who hails from Umuezeoka in Ezza North Local Government Area, made the decision in a press release launched to newsmen in Abuja, warning the individuals towards being misled by people pursuing private political pursuits below the guise of representing Ezza elders and elites.

He alleged that some people have been making an attempt to affect the political choices of the neighborhood for egocentric causes, urging residents to evaluate candidates primarily based on their data and contributions fairly than political endorsements.

The political activist additionally cautioned towards blindly supporting Governor Francis Nwifuru’s re-election bid primarily based on expectations that political energy could be transferred to an Ezza candidate in 2031.

He additional alleged that some Ezza elders and elites had shifted their political allegiance in the direction of a former governor whom he accused of opposing the emergence of an Ezza governor in 2031.

“As the 2027 general elections draw nearer with official kickoff of campaigns by various political parties, it is regrettable that our great Ezza Ezekuna nation is again being deceived by some people selfishly working for themselves and operating under the guise of “Ezza elites” and “Ezza Elders Council” to impose their wills and self-serving agenda on the individuals.

“Our individuals ought to recall my earlier warnings that the ‘elites’ mustn’t deceive or lure Ezza individuals into blindly supporting the re-election of Governor Francis Nwifuru in 2027 all as a result of they consider energy could be handed over to them in 2031.

“I have authoritatively gathered that the elders and elites may have now made a u-turn- preferring now to dance to the tune of a former Governor of the State who does not like or want Ezzas to gain power in 2031 and he has allegedly been using them to destabilize the peace and tranquility in Ezza nation so that certain candidates he sees as threats to his power game would not emerge.”

Omaka argued that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, had demonstrated stronger political friendship in the direction of Ezza individuals by selecting Ezza sons as operating mates in successive elections.

He recalled that Odii chosen Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu as his deputy governorship candidate in 2023 and had once more picked Hon. Patrick Mgbebu, popularly often known as Patman, as his operating mate for the 2027 governorship election.

According to him, the choice demonstrated a stage of political inclusion that ought to affect the neighborhood’s selection within the forthcoming election.

“Some of us have argued that our people must consider the fact that power is never given but taken and even if you were to be given power, a candidate like the PDP Governorship candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii who in 2023 chose an Ezza man- Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu as his Deputy and has again bow chosen Hon. Patrick Mgbebu (Patman) as his running-mate for the 2027 Governorship election has demonstrated more love and friendship to the Ezza nation than those who have never contemplated making an Ezza man a running-mate for reasons best known to them,” he said.

Omaka maintained that supporting Odii may present Ezza individuals with a possibility to occupy the deputy governorship place whereas positioning the neighborhood for its long-standing aspiration to supply a governor sooner or later.

The commentator additionally condemned reported assaults on opposition members and candidates in Ezza South and Ezza North native authorities areas, calling on political actors to embrace peace as campaigns collect momentum forward of the 2027 elections.

He expressed concern over incidents involving the destruction of property, accidents and lack of lives, together with the disruption of a political marketing campaign in Umuoghara, Ezza North.

Omaka recalled an August 1 assault on a defection rally organised by a PDP member, Barrister Ifeanyi Nworie, at Ikwuato Idembia in Ezza South, allegedly by thugs loyal to the ruling APC.

He additionally talked about the next assault on Chief Christopher Ngwuta, popularly often known as GNG, at his compound in Amaezekwe neighborhood.

According to him, the incident reportedly resulted in accidents, property destruction and the lack of an unborn child by a lady within the affected family.

He additional cited the alleged ambush of the convoy of the New Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South Constituency, Rollins Offia Nwali, which reportedly resulted in deaths and accidents.

Omaka condemned the incidents and prolonged his condolences to the affected households.

“No Ezza blood of any Ezza son or daughter should be wasted due to politics especially when other parts of the State are peacefully allowing campaigns and consultations without any reports of violent incidents or attacks on opposition or anyone,” he mentioned.

He additionally criticised the Ezza Elders Council over its reported place on opposition actions in the neighborhood, describing its response to the violence as hypocritical in view of what he characterised as earlier feedback discouraging opposition politics in Ezza land.

Omaka alleged that the place towards opposition actions contributed to the emergence of what he described as unlawful Anti-Cult Marshals, accusing the group of getting used to intimidate and assault opposition members.

He described the alleged association as unconstitutional and undemocratic, insisting that political variations shouldn’t be allowed to threaten the peace of the neighborhood.

The commentator additionally questioned experiences that the elders had persuaded some opposition candidates to withdraw from the race whereas endorsing APC candidates, arguing that such a call didn’t replicate the needs of all Ezza individuals.

Omaka urged Ezza elders, political leaders and candidates throughout celebration traces to permit all political events to marketing campaign freely and search help from residents with out intimidation or obstruction.

He insisted that claims that the neighborhood had collectively endorsed specific candidates for the 2027 elections ought to be disregarded, stressing that each candidate ought to be allowed to current their programmes to voters.

“The insinuations in certain quarters that Ezza nation has endorsed certain candidates for certain positions ahead of 2027 should be discountenanced as our people would not short-change themselves by putting all their eggs in one basket,” he said.

He additionally known as on the elders to organise a real peace initiative on the Nchionu Okpoku Ezekuna ancestral floor, the place conventional oaths might be taken to advertise peaceable elections.

“I call on all Ezza Ezekuna sons and daughters worldwide to indulge these elders and indeed all candidates and politicians in Ezza nation to tow a peaceful path ahead of the 2027 election by allowing all political parties and their candidates to freely campaign and solicit for votes across all communities without let or hinderance as the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act permit. Any attempt to muscle, attack or stop opposition party candidates from campaigning should not be tolerated by anyone or party.”

Omaka urged youths in the neighborhood to reject political violence and keep away from permitting themselves for use by politicians as devices of intimidation and thuggery.

He maintained that the pursuits of Ezza individuals ought to take precedence over partisan politics, warning that violence and political divisions may undermine the neighborhood’s growth and democratic participation.