A group of Ebonyi indigenes on the auspices of Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID), has challenged Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to take full charge of his government or resign from the office.
The diaspora group also raised the alarm that the immidiate-past governor David Umahi was still secretly running the affairs of the state.
In a statement released to journalists Tuesday in Abuja by the AEISCID President (World-wide), Ambassador Pascal Oluchchukwu, he said one week after Nwifuru took oath of office as new Ebonyi State governor, the Ebonyi electorate were yet to see any visible sign of governance, not even the appointment of his kitchen cabinet members.
The group called on the Inspector General of Police to immediately withdraw security team attached to the former governor while anti-graft agencies ensure proper investigation of Umahi’s administration in Ebonyi state.
The statement reads in parts: “We are aware that though the March 18th 2023 Governorship election is being challenged by both oppositions People’s Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and their Governorship candidates at the Election Petition Tribunal now sitting in Abuja, INEC as an electoral umpire had declared Nwifuru, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC candidate, Rt. Hon. Nwifuru asthe ‘winner’ and he was consequently sworn-in to office.
“About one week he took oath of office at the Abakaliki Township stadium, we are astonished that the Ebonyi electorates are yet to see any visible signs of governance, not even the appointment of his kitchen cabinet members. Rather, this group has been reading reports that his predecessor, Umahi has still been inspecting works at the sites of some yet-to-be-completed projects in the State.
“AEISCID was reliably informed that a day after he had handed over the affairs of governance in Ebonyi, Umahi was sighted with many of his ‘dissolved’ Exco members inspecting works at the new Olympic stadium at the Centenary City. Those who have seen him move around since after handover claims he retained and still moves with the same retinue of security aides and convoy while in office.
“Earlier before the handover ceremony, we had learnt that the former Governor Umahi had literally summoned Nwifuru before his outgoing Exco, requesting he announces of his domestic aides from his Uburu hometown as the next Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government – a move that was allegedly turned down by Nwifuru. Those close to happenings in the last few hours to Umahi’s supposed official handover to Nwifuru said that explained the former’s anger and reason for being late to the Abakaliki Township stadium venue of the event and also for breaching official protocols during the inauguration ceremony and storming out of the venue even before his successor took oath of office and allegiance.”
While asking the governor to take charge, the statement noted: “We challenge Nwifuru to either take charge of the helm of affairs and hit the ground effectively running like his Enugu and Abia counterparts in the region or resign for a competent hand that understands governance to take over.
“This group urges the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS and the Chief of Army Staff to withdraw their officers and men from Umahi in order not to create confusion and security breaches that may lead to an avoidable Constitutional crises for the State.
“As a group concerned about good governance and the enthronement of a democratic process cum progress of our dear State, AEISCID is disturbed that democracy may derail in Ebonyi if Nwifuru continues to walk in the shadow of a former Governor Umahi.
“As earlier alarmed, the new Governor is yet to appoint even key officials into his kitchen cabinet because according to reliable sources, Umahi allegedly warned that he dare not make any appointments without first of all clearing from him.
“And one week after, Nwifuru true to the alleged threat has only appointed a Chief Press Secretary and is yet to name anybody for the sensitive positions of Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff among others who would help in piloting and coordinating early take off of proper governance in the State. The new Governor rather recently announced the appointment of some 21 Special Advisers on Internal Security comprising mainly of ‘loyal political thugs’ across the 13 Local Government Areas.
“We are shocked but not very surprised that on the list are no creative thinkers and leaders with past reputations of any kind but rather the rag-tag members of the disbanded Ebubeagu militia most of who has played roles in the electoral malfeasance and violent killings that has been prevailing in our State before and during the controverted 2023 elections. For instance, that names such as Panchris Eze, otherwise known as ‘Power’ who has been accused of leading violent Ebubeagu attacks on oppositions and innocent Ebonyians appeared as the SA on Internal Security for Abakaliki Urban proves clearly that Nwifuru also wants to continue from where his mentor and predecessor, Umahi stopped in the use of threats, intimidations and violence to govern Ebonyi people.
“Relatedly, the fact that Nwifuru is yet appointing people as Special Advisers on Street Lights among other mundane positions indicates strongly that he is not ready for the serious business of governance. We highly condemn such embarrassing portfolios and duplication of functions just to create jobs for his ‘cult boys’ who served as coordinators of his Youth Movement. A creative and dynamic leader would have ‘settled’ them in some other ways and appoint capable, competent, educated, enlightened and experienced leaders that can harness ideas which could turn around our poor State’s economic fortunes. We feel this more strongly following the current challenges of harsh economic realities that governments across all levels are currently facing in Nigeria and are now devising desperate means and measures to cut costs in governance.
“It’s further revealed to this noble group that even when Governor Nwifuru is in Abuja, he rather sleeps in hotels while Umahi and family occupy the newly-built Ebonyi Governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. All these are strange but strong signs that Umahi is yet to come to terms with the reality that power has left him and he’s no longer the Governor of Ebonyi State.
“AEISCID therefore officially invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC to arrest and prosecute the outgone Governor now that he has been stripped of the immunity clause which shields Nigeria’s ineptly corrupt political leaders.
“Already, Ebonyians have seen enough hell already in the last eight years of Umahi’s reign and deserve much better in every aspect and respect.”
