2023: Nwandugo Receives Izhi Elders Blessing As Ebonyi Guber Candidate

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Action Alliance Governorship candidate in Ebonyi state, Engr Chukwuma Nwandugo on weekend received traditional blessings from elders of Igbeagu-Izzi autonomous community in preparation for the 2023 general election. The elders while blessing the Action Alliance governorship candidate at his Ndiakpurata Igbeagu country home assured him of their support.

Speaking during the event, the chairman Ndubia Igbeagu zone, Chief Peter Nweze described Engr Nwandugo as a credible candidate whose antecedents are exceptional. He explained that the Action Alliance governorship candidate is a grass root politician and deserve the support of his people and called on entire Ebonyians to join him in the move to bring his wealth of experiences into governance.

Also, Chief Alexander Adegbe, village head Nguji Ola, while speaking on behalf of the elders thanked Engr Nwandugo for taking the decisive decision of joining the race and tasked him to focus on more consultations while assuring him that the elders would continue praying for him. He admonished the party candidates not to jitter in their respective positions as Izhi people will massively support to ensure Nwandugo succeeds as governor of the state come 2023.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Mr Joshua Onwukwe Njoku, appreciated the Action Alliance governorship candidate for honouring the community's invitation. "We are here to ask our son for clarification of the speculation that he's contesting for Ebonyi state governorship position which we have been hearing for some while now. "He's our son and today have confirmed truly that he is contesting for the position under Action Alliance (AA) party and our blessing is upon him because his antecedents as former Commissioner for Works and Transport are enough to get our votes. He added, "Supporters of Engr Chukwuma Nwandugo are the righteous who are assuming throne soon to reposition the state and like our elders have prayed, your assumption of office will be suprise to many and that we have seen from his good work".

However, the party gubernatorial candidate, Engr Chukwuma Nwandugo said the decision to join the race was borne out of the clamour from his people for proper representation. The former Commissioner for Works and Transport revealed that unwritten constitution practicable in the state demands that the seat of the governor is moved to Ebonyi North where the people should vote their choice candidate based on competence and credibility. He explained that the power rotation having gone round the zone, equity demands that other zones should support Ebonyi North for unity and all inclusive governance. Nwandugo who observed that he would not say much on what he will do since campaign has not started, noted that he would run an all inclusive government that would change the current hardship faced by the people.

"I will not say much about what I have on the table different from what other leaders of the state have done since we have not started campaign but am assuring Ebonyians of all inclusive governance; a government where there'll be no hunger, a government where civil servants and retirees will be happy, a government where everybody is a partaker, a government where security will be paramount. "I sincerely appreciate my Igbeagu and Izhi people for their solidarity and assuring them that I will not disappoint them."

Also speaking, the Ndiakpurata Igbeagu village head, Chief Chinweike Alieze applauded villagers and community elders for their massive turn out and described the support as overwhelming. He noted that the Action Alliance governorship candidate is an exceptional leader who had demonstrated accountability and trustworthiness in both public and private offices held, hence, called on Ebonyians to give their support to ensure he wins in the upcoming general election.

On his part, the ward party chairman, Prince Akputa Cyril commended the state chairman for his leadership prowess and maintained optimistic that Engr Nwandugo would win landslide victory in entire Izhi clan.

Other who spoke including, Hon Godwin Okwu, Ebonyi state Chairman Action Alliance, Barr Patrick Anayo Mbam (Omata), representing Izzi/Abakaliki federal constituency, Pastor Chukwuemeka, Ebonyi State House of Assembly candidate Afikpo North East constituency and Chief John Ndugo respectively appreciated the community elders for their support and solidarity.

Meanwhile, the event featured traditional blessing of Engr Chukwuma Nwandugo, female Deputy Governor candidate, dance and masquerades display.