ABIA 2023: We didn’t, have no plans to endorse any candidate … Ukwa La Ngwa Council

ABIA 2023: We didn’t, have no plans to endorse any candidate … Ukwa La Ngwa Council

By Charity Uwakwe

As 2023 general election draws nearer, the Ukwa La Ngwa Council of Elders in Abia State has stated unequivocally that the Council has not and presently doesl not have plans to endorse any gubernatorial candidate.

In a release signed by Dr. Max Nduaguibe, the Leader and Chairman of Ukwa La Ngwa Council of Elders, the Council stated pointedly that the role of Ukwa La Ngwa Council of Elders was strictly to contribute and provide advice as it regards the principles of truth, Fairness, Justice and Equity.

Dr. Nduaguibe stated blankly that the Council had neither endorsed nor had it any plans, whatsoever, to endorse any Abia Guber Candidate for the time being.

“The role Of Ukwa La Ngwa Council of Elders is purely contributory and advisory based on the principles of truth, fairness, justice and equity.

The Chairman explained that if the Council had any plans of endorsing a Candidate, it would obviously have been none other than Engr. Nwafor, as he advised all Abians “to defy animosity and bitterness in pursuit of ephemeral wordly ventures or political power.

The release read in part:

“We have enormous moral right and responsibility to do what is fair at all times. We have constantly rejected financial or political gain to make from any politician or political group contrary to the narrow viewpoint of the Run of mill politicians amongst us.

“Events of the last few days have made it necessary that certain clarifications are made. We believe that a true Elder should not prevaricate, show desperation or let selfish interest override group interest.

“We have never endorsed any candidate as far as Abia Gubernatorial Election is concerned. Even if we were tempted to endorse any candidate, it would definitely not have been a candidate who on the 9th of August, 2022 confessed publicly to the Committee of Eminent Personalities of UKWA LA NGWA COUNCIL OF ELDERS

who interviewed them, that he had no plans to be Governor, did not seek to be Governor until he was asked to run for Governorship.

“The Committee of Eminent Personalities of the Ukwa La Ngwa Council of Elders met on the said 9th of August, 2022 with Engr. Enyinnaya Chima Nwafor of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Prof. Uche Eleazer Ikonne of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) out of the three Ngwa Candidates at the palace of Archbishop Isaac P. Nwaobia, the Anglican Archbishop of Aba Province

“At least 80% of these Eminent Personalities including Eric Acho Nwakanma praised the outstanding presentation made by Engr. Nwafor to the extent that if we had had a vote on that day, the confession of Prof. Ikonne about his preparedness to be Governor would have marred whatever chances he would have had, if we were to put him side by side with the brilliant performance of Engr. Nwafor. I had to take the hard decision deliberately to avoid putting our discussions into a vote postponing it to our next meeting which has not held to date.

Speaking further, he said: “Of course, Engr. Nwafor, in the estimation of the majority of members of the Committee of Eminent Personalities was coherent, showed class, exuded preparedness and demonstrated absolute understanding of how a Governor could within the shortest possible time impact positively on the lives of the citizens to the extent that H.E.Eric Acho Nwakanma publicly confessed same.

“Ordinarily, if the Council had any plans of endorsing a Candidate, it would obviously have been Engr. Nwafor.

He, therefore, urged Abians not to conform to any form of “animosity and bitterness in pursuit of ephemeral wordly ventures or political power.

“Members of the PDP or any other party for that matter can as ELDERS of their Party meet anywhere , at any time convenient for them, to endorse whosoever they deem fit.

“Let the general public be informed that UKWA LA NGWA COUNCIL OF ELDERS have not endorsed and have no plans of endorsing any Abia Guber Candidate for the time being. Our impression of the Candidates who appeared before the Committee is already known.

Meanwhile, the astute leader of the Council implored the members of UKWA LA NGWA COUNCIL OF ELDERS to be vigilant and mindful of all those who, according to him, would recant over a pot of porridge.”