Over 50 Gov Nwifuru’s Political Appointees Demand Apology From Social Media Critic, Njoku
By Alex Odeh
Political appointees of Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State from the Unwuera extraction of Izzi, have demanded unreserved apology from a social media critic, Cajetan Njoku, over alleged unfair and unjust appointment of the Unwuera sons and daughters into political positions.
They made the call through a press statement issued to journalists on Tuesday in Abakaliki and signed by fifty-nine appointees form Unwuewra kindred.
The statement which was presented by the Executive Chairman of Izzi Local Government Area, Hon Barr. Steve Emenike Nwankpa, was titled UNITED WE SHALL STAND !
Hon Barrister Steve Emenike, who described the allegation by Cajetan Njoku as untrue and unfair said the Unwuera extraction had found favors in this government, more than at any point time in the history politics and governance in this state, courtesy of the magnanimity of his Excellency Rt. Hon Prince Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru
The statement reads: As prominent and privileged cultural and historical affiliate members of Unwuera we are now compelled to state our view and position to the publication made by Hon. Cajethan Njoku titled. “ *ETHNIC CAPTURE IN EBONYI STATE* ”.
“In the said publication, the author sought to analyze the appointment of His Excellency along kindred lines, and thereafter concluded that appointments were unfair and unjust to Unwuewra kindred.
“It is therefore on the strength of the above allegation that we seek to make certain clarifications and thereafter state our position.
“However it is of note that to the best of our knowledge unwuera as a kindred does not have an umbrella organization or structured either to strengthen our bond for political gains or put up a defence against our common adversaries.
“We do not pursue cheap blackmail, we are individuals with capacity and competence to endure hard times and we find refuge in our individual success rather than collective or organizational success.
“We equally pride ourselves as mean, firm and consistent in holding hands and uniting with our brothers, igbojima or unwuera.
“His Excellency Rt. Hon. Prince Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has distinguished himself as the unifier and the champion of the unity of the entire izzi people and deserves an accolade, support, and solidarity right here at home.
“It is certain and true that freedom of expression is the corner stone of democracy and is protected and guaranteed by our extant law, but right discretion, principles and courtesy must apply to still safeguard our democracy and promote harmonious co-existence of human beings, men and women, young and old. And as individuals we support those who seek to build on our common heritage of love and unity.
“We as member affiliate to the much touted and ballyhooed kindred dichotomy do not celebrate artificial boundaries of hate now sought to be pushed to our face by this publication.
“We therefore find the personal opinion of our brother very untrue and unfair .It is rather lame both in the realm of logic and reason and unfair to statistics and mathematics, parochial, self-serving and it does not represent our view and concern.
“It is on record that a lot of Unwuera extraction has found favors in this government, more than at any point time in the history politics and governance in this state, courtesy of the magnanimity of his Excellency Rt. Hon Prince Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru
“Under the present Administration, persons of Unwuera extraction occupy very strategic position of trust in the Government.
“A quick perusal on some of the positions that come to mind include but not limited to the under listed positions, the Occupant and their signatures
“Chief Barr. Steve Emenike Nwankpa, Executive Chairman of Izzi LGA, Dist. Senator Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi , Senator Representing Ebonyi North District, Hon. Chief Godwin Abiri , Member representing izzi west Constituency in the House of Assembly, Chief Hon. Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga, Member Representing Ebonyi North East in the House of Assembly, Dr Jeremiah Nwankwegu, Federal Commissioner for NPC, Dr. Chris Achi,Federal Commissioner for FPCC,Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu,Chief of Staff Government House
“Others are: Dr. Moses Ekuma, Commissioner for Health,Chief Hon. Richard Idike,Commissioner for Youth and Sports,Prof. Paul Awo Nwobashi, Commissioner for boarder, peace and conflict resolution,Chief Hon. Peter Nwogbaga, SSA on Education,Chief. Hon. Anthony Nwegede,SSA on Agriculture,Hon. Moses Okite Nwangbo, SSA on ICT, Chief.Hon. Fred Nwogbaga, SSA on Transport, Hon. Chukwuemeka Ofoke,SA on Governor’s Office, Hon. Benjamin Ezeoma, SSA on Lands,Hon. Martins Okwuegbu, SA on IGR, Hon. Nonso Nwigum,SA on Youth Mobilization,Dr Sabinus Nwibo, SA on Primary Health,Chief. Hon Peter Nwogbaga ,SSA on Primary Education
“Hon. Henry Bamida, SA on Her Excellency’s’ Office,Hon Barr. Pius Nwoga,SSA on Library,Hon. Pius Nwankwo, SA on Sports,Hon. Mrs Charity Oyoh,SA Women Mobilization,Hon. Godwin Egbata,PA to the Governor,Dr. Sylevester Awam,Secretary Secondary Education Board, Hon. Chijioke Nwuzor,Mender II UBEB,Chief. Chris Uchaji,Member I Civil Service Commission, Rt. Hon. Barr. Augustine Nwankwegu,Chairman Revenue Appeal Commission,Dr. Fidelis Uguru,Member And Secretary EBSIEC ,Hon. Iyke Edene,Member 1 House of Assembly Commission and HRH Eze Nwojiji,Member Judiciary Service Commission.
“The rest are: Hon. Abraham Nwedu,Member Board of Internal Revenue,Hon. Aloy Nwibo, Member Anti-Corruption and public Complaints,Engr. Ebenizer Ofoke, Member 1 Rural Electrification Board,Hon. Godwin Egbata, PA to Executive Governor,Hon. Elom Chibueze Ph D., President Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum, Prince Maurice Mbam,BOT Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum & an Entrepreneur, Hon. Dan Okwuegbu, Member market development Board, Rev. Father Godwin Uguru,Chairman Christian Pilgrimage Board,Rev. Joseph Nwibo,Member Christian Pilgrimage Board,Hon. Patricia Nwankwegu, Provost college of Nursing Uburu, Mrs Rose Nwuzor,Bursar Ebonyi State University,Dr. Nwedu Uchenna, CMAC Alex Ekuweueme University Teaching Hospital,Dr. Felix Edegbe,Acting provost College of Medicine Ebsu,Mrs Elizabeth Ogbaga,Chairman health Issurance Agency, Hon. Clement Ovuoba,Executive Secretary SEMA, Dr. Ovuoba Chukwuemeka, Executive Secretary Ebonyi State Primary health Development Agency,Barr. Philip Oyo,Member governing Council Federal Poly NEKEDE,Prof. Adline Idike, Member governing Council Fedral University of Education Zaria Kaduna State, Mrs Ngozi Otozi, Permanent secretary Ministry of Education,Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health,Mr. Darlington Mbam,Permanent Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Joy Mbam,Permanent secretary Ministry of Lands,Dr. Kizito Nwovu, Permanent Secretary Abuja Liaison Office,Hon. Obiya Chukwudi Pascal ,Coordinator Izzi DC, Hon. Obinna Nwedu,Coordinator Igbeagu DC, Hon. Mrs Susan Nwogbaga, Coordinator Ozibo DC and Hon. Frank Nwungwu, Coordinator Mbeke DC
“For emphasis, while we respect divergent opinions in public matters such as this, the people of Unwuera extraction have not elected anyone as their spokes persons or person.
“Therefore the opinion of Hon. Cajethan Njoku is not the umbrella representation of the feelings and yearnings of Uwuera and therefore call on the writer to own it and tow the line of dignity and respect by retracting the said publication and in turn apologize to His Excellency forthwith.
“It is such a shame that at this moment of our glorious historic journey in politics and advancement as a people, trivial issues of no mean consequences such as this still finds its way into our thinking cap.
” This era must be different and those who seek to take us back to the era of hate and artificial boundaries of segregation and must not earn bolstering at all cost
He concluded by saying, “We reaffirm our commitment and solidarity of purpose to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Prince Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and we hereby ask him to stay on course and not to be distracted in delivering quality leadership to the people of the state and beyond. We also adopt him as our sole candidate for 2nd term in office come 2027”, Emenike declared.
