Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The youths of Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State under the aegis of Ezza North Youth General Assembly(ENYGA), on Thursday called on the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Professor Bernard Odoh, to withdraw his petition against Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Odoh contested the governorship election in the state conducted on March 20 with Nwifuru who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Odoh is from Ezza clan in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state while Nwifuru is from Izzi clan in Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
The youths of the area urged him to as a matter of patriotism, retrace his steps by accepting the result of the governorship election.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their general meeting in Achiegu the headquarters of the local government, the youths noted that Odoh fought gallantly during the election and failed.
They urged him to accept the outcome of the election because of the bond between Ezza and Izzi people instead of challenging the outcome in court.
The communiqué read in part: “that the apex youth organisation hereby seizes this opportunity to call on our dear brother, Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh to as a matter of patriotism retrace his steps by accepting the result of the last concluded governorship election in the state.
“He should withdraw the electoral petition instituted against the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
“That Prof. Odoh has fought gallantly during the election and failed wherefore he should be bound by the brotherly bond between Ezza and Izzi people by taking positive side with his brother, Governor Nwifuru instead of pitching tenth with him on the wrong side.
“That as a matter of urgency, we call on the traditional rulers, super stakeholders, and religious leaders from Ezza extraction, especially His Lordship, the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu, to prevail on Prof. Odoh to show the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting defeat.
“Theat he should withdraw the suit instituted against the Governor from the court, and join hands with him to move the state forward as Izzi and Ezza people are brothers and when two brothers fight to death, the enemies will inherit their property.
“That this is for the interest of peace in the state as after the day comes the night which can be interpreted in our local parlance as “Azua Eke L’orube Orie,” meaning that after the uninterruptable tenure of Izzi people to govern the State, for eight (8) years, it will be as a matter of equity, justice, fairness and good conscience for the Ezza people to take their turn and as such, we shall need the support of other clans in the state to achieve our desired goal; since no clan can singlehandedly make themselves Governor in the state without the help of others.
“That we equally use this medium to sincerely thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his dispositions after the elections towards our people; that as a team player, despite all odds, he showed strong consanguinity by appointing our illustrious sons and daughters into various positions in his administration.
“That we are assuring His Excellency, Governor Nwifuru of our continuous support and solidarity to deliver on his developmental mantra in the state fully anchored on peoples’ charter of needs.”
The communiqué was signed by Emeka Nwokporo, President of the youths, Titus Eze Secretary and over 20 others.
