Ebonyi: Youth Group Urges Opposition To Withdraw Election Suits Against Governor Nwifuru

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the recent victory of Governor Francis Nwifuru at the Ebonyi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Youth Groups under the aegis  of Ezza North Youth General Assembly, has urged the Governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the March 18th 2023 General elections, Ifeanyi Odii and Benard Odoh, respectively, to withdraw their suits against the state governor.

The Group urged the opposition to embrace the olive branch extended to them by Governor Nwifuru for the growth, development and prosperity of Ebonyi State and its people.

The PDP and APGA candidates had approached the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja to challenge the processes that upheld Nwifuru as governor of the state, saying the Independent National Electoral Commission erred by declaring him winner of the March 18 polls.

Last month, the Tribunal ruled in favour of Nwifuru, but the ruling has been appealed by Odii and Odoh.

The Group said the interest of Ebonyians should be the priority of the opposition, and should join hands with the duly elected Governor Nwifuru in uplifting the State.

In a communique signed by Chairman, Nwokporo Emeka, Secretary, Titus Eze, Legal adviser, Chika Igboke, and Media Director, Polycarp Alegu, among others, the Youth Group called on the opposition candidates to end the legal tussle with Nwifuru, adding that the elections have been contested and won.

The communique reads in parts, “The apex youth organisation of Ezza North LGA held her general meeting on the 12th day of October, 2023 at Onu-Nwode Primary School, Okposi Umuoghara in the council area wherefore the following resolutions were made:

“Firstly to thank the Almighty God for the outcome of the Ebonyi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja whose judgment was rendered on the 27th day of September, 2023 affirming the Chief Servant and the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru FNIOB, FCAI, GGCEHF, as the authentic candidate of APC and the winner of the last concluded governorship election in the state.

“That we commend very highly the dispositions of the members of the tribunal whose rendered judgment was a true reflection of the aspirations and wishes of the majority of the people in the state.

“That the apex youth body want to reiterate their earlier stand and position but in a broader manner by calling on our brothers, Prof. Ifeanyi Benard Odoh and Mr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii to wholeheartedly accept the outcome of Ebonyi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal judgment which is the true reflection of the mandate Ebonyians bestowed on Governor Nwifuru.

“That we are specifically calling on Mr. Odii to backtrack and stop paragliding around the courts and continuing to distract Governor Nwifuru where he is seeking unholy judgment in election he knew he failed woefully.

“That Mr. Odii who is from Ebonyi South Zone is fully aware that the founding fathers of the state had enthroned the charter of equity in our political terrain upon which the three senatorial districts in the state rotate the governorship position and presently, it is not the turn of Ebonyi South Zone to produce the governor.

“That the reason why majority of Umuekumaenyi vehemently rejected their own, Chief Arch. Edward Nkwegu in 2015 who had the backing of the then incumbent Governor, H.E Martin N. Elechi and overwhelmingly supported the immediate past governor and minister for works, Fed. Rep. of Nigeria, H.E Engr. Chief David N. Umahi was because it was the turn of Ebonyi South Zone to produce the Governor of the State then.

“That the political voyage of Mr. Odii to govern the state now is untimely, pretentious and aberration and if he over-stretches the good people of Umuekumaenyi, there will be a compound and combusting political catastrophe as the apex youth body of Ezza North shall spur Umuekeumaenyi youths to convoke the Igala politics of Benue people to be played in Ebonyi State.”