Gov. Dave Umahi Urges Members To Close Ranks Ahead Of Congress

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to close ranks to ensure that the upcoming congresses of the party in the state will go smoothly.

Umahi who was speaking at a stakeholders and the State Working Committee meeting of the party at the Christian Ecumenical Center, Abakiliki, the Ebonyi State capital

Speaking further ahead of the party’s congress, Gov. Umahi assured that all members of the party contesting for various positions would be given equal opportunity and level playing ground.

Gov. Umahi who stated that he remains committed to the unity of the party and development of the State, thanked the State Working Committee for their commitment towards the growth of the party in the state.

“Let me commend our leaders especially the Caretaker Committee for the transparent manner they have been running the party, visiting the leaders, making sure that both wines properly mix.

“I am appealing that we do everything to work together, the level of desperation is what brings divisions.

“If we do imposition of the people that are not popular because they are loyal to us, then we have more problems during elections and that is why Consensus must be tested in the field and I think the will of the people should supersede our wills if we want to win elections.

“Consensus does not mean that we stay in Abakaliki and write those who will represent the rural people. Consensus is when up to 80% of the Stakeholders of a particular Ward agree that these people are the most popular people not when one or two Stakeholders say this is the list, so we would like to have a transparent process.”

Governor Umahi went on to announce that arrangements were on the last lap for the empowerment of Ebonyi people to the tune of 3000 as well as the engagement of 3000 others into the State Civil Service as a way of ensuring economic sustenance of the people.

Infonet9ja.com learnt that the leadership of APC in Ebonyi State had passed a vote of confidence on the Governor of the state for his (Umahi’s) people-oriented Administration in the State.

The motion for the vote of confidence was said to have been moved by the member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly; Honourable Chinedu Ogah and was seconded by the Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru.

In the motion, the Lawmakers said they were encouraged to move the motion due to unprecedented accomplishments of Umahi’s led Administration in the State which they noted has further boosted the acceptability of the APC in the State and Country.

Ogah and Nwifuru also hailed the Governor for unifying the Party which had been balkanized, into factions to a single united next-level movement.

Earlier in a remark, the interim Chairman of the APC in the State, Chief Stanley Okoro stated that the meeting was convened to fine-tune arrangements for the smooth conduct of the congresses in Ebonyi State.

“Great party members, today is another wonderful day for us to come together and brainstorm on the way forward for our party. The challenges ahead of the party are not only for the National Executive rather all party members including the Ebonyi chapter of the party.

“We have been doing the best we can at the State level as the Caretaker Committee Members and the National Working Committee have seen and acknowledged that Ebonyi is the fastest growing State in terms of the party and we will not allow anybody to change the narratives.”

The stakeholders among agreements reached in the meeting was that the State Chairmanship position of the party should be retained in Ebonyi South LGA.