2023 Elections: Why Zoning Won’t Count In Ebonyi State-AESID

Indigenes of Ebonyi State under the platform of Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) have said that competence and credibility will determine who emerge the next governor of the state.

Speaking ahead of the 2023 governorship election in the state, the AESID stated that the next governor will not emerge as a result of zoning.

Thus, the association implored Ebonyi people to continue to study the records in and out of office of any contender and place same side-by-side with the prevailing challenges facing the state and seek out only those who can reverse the negative indices.

This view was contained in a statement signed by the president of the association, Ambassador Pascal Oluchukwu on Sunday, January 10.

The group stated this while reacting to an opinion piece by one Sunday Okwerike who lamented that the rest of Ebonyians should probably leave the battle of Umahi’s successor in 2023 to only his Izhi clan.

Responding, the AESID said Ebonyi people will not support any leader or persons who have records of having been used particularly by the Umahi administration to dispense mindless violence on Ebonyians.

The statement read: “First, AESID wishes to assert that the number one criteria which we implore every Ebonyian and lover of our dear state to seek out in any intending aspirant or candidate is competence and credibility.

“AESID would implore Ebonyi people to continue to study the records in and out of office of any contender and place same side-by-side with the prevailing challenges facing the young state and seek out only those who can reverse the negative indices.”

According to Oluchukwu, the government of Engr. Umahi has remained a family business with capital flights being the order of the day.

Further, he said: “Governor Umahi boasts that he knows even the costs of production and supply of ordinary nails, all because he is the sole supplier all to and by himself and his family.

“This is why the government has placed a higher premium on concrete roads, flyovers, and decorative water fountains cum lights over and above the economic survival of a greater number of Ebonyians.

“Come 2023, Ebonyi people should choose, follow, support, and elect a leader who would run an all-inclusive government that would see humans as humans and not as machines.”