Two governorship aspirants in the eastern Nigerian state of Ebonyi, on the platform of the PDP, have dropped their ambitions to support the adoption of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, by the state’s political stakeholders.
The party’s stakeholders from the old Abakaliki caucus, comprising the current Ebonyi North and Central senatorial zones, at a meeting on Monday adopted Chukwu as the zones’ consensus candidate.
The aspirants, Chief Sam Agom-Eze, a former banker and Mr Ben Akpa, a former commissioner, all from the southern zone like Chukwu, said after a meeting with Gov. Martin Elechi on Tuesday, that they dropped their ambitions in the interest of the state’s development.
Agom-Eze said that any decision that would promote the interest of the state should supercede that of individuals, as individuals could not realise their ambitions without the existence of Ebonyi.
“Even if many of us contest on the party’s platform, there would still be only one successful candidate; as I see this consensus candidature as a way of moving the state forward.
“Ebonyi is a young state that is not as rich as others, so it will be pertinent to save it from unnecessary violence and rancour, among others usually recorded during electoral politicking,” he said.
He described Chukwu as an ideal successor to Elechi, noting that he was capable of consolidating on the legacies of the incumbent governor.
“Elechi has managed the state’s resources judiciously, as he needs a capable hand with vast experience to succeed him, a feature Chukwu possesses in abundance,” he said.
Akpa on his part, said that his decision to step down was a personal sacrifice for the growth of the state, especially in the political sector.
“I believe it is the best way to go in order to reduce the usual infighting and rancour associated with electoral politicking.
“I would therefore support the adoption of Chukwu whom I know personally as a man of integrity, honour and can sustain the legacies of the present governor,” he said.
He said Chuwku was also intellectually endowed which could be buttressed by the expertise the country’s health ministry, under his leadership, handled the Ebola disease scourge.
“I would work for his success in the elections and beyond while thanking the governor and people of the old Abakaliki bloc for making a wise decision that would uplift the state.
Gov. Elechi in his response, thanked the aspirants for supporting the decision and noted that the people of the state would always remember them for such sacrifice.
“Ebonyi is a poor but strong state and part of our attitudinal change tenet is doing things right which I believe we have done with this decision.
“There is no need for unnecessary struggles, mudslinging and waste of resources, as we all should support the right things whenever they are done.
“We also believe that other contestants would follow suit while those who feel they can challenge the might of the people can still go ahead, as there is room for divergent views in democracy,” he said – News.
