Open Letter To Governor Of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru
I write as a concerned citizen of Ebonyi state and an unrepentant supporter of the administration to draw your attention to some of the salient issues that may negatively affect your Government if not properly checked on time.
Few weeks ago, both the print and social media channels went berserk with an article about the negative inevitable aftermath of inexorable gale of defections from the major opposition parties into the APC fold as well as the poor reward system of the present administration. The article was adjudged as a classic treatise by many independent observers because it raised many important concerns that need to be tackled headlong.
In view of the above, most well-meaning Ebonyians expected an official response from your Government either through the Commissioner for Information or your Media Aides in order to allay the fears of many of your supporters who feel abandoned after working hard to install you as their leader. These set of people who believed in the Onye rua orie mantra now feel used and dumped in favour of the political jobbers.
It’s in the light of the aforementioned points that I feel very much concerned about the implosions that may rock the APC and shake the very foundation of this administration even before the next general elections.
For instance, how do you manage to protect the interest of the defectors together with your loyal party members. In Ebonyi Central for instance, how would you marry the interest of Senator Ken Eze with that of, Senator Obinna Ogba, Comrade Chinedu Oga, Laz Ogbe, Anayo Edwin, Engr Peter Edeh, Sen. Igwe Nwagu, Dr Kelechi Igwe and many others. In Ebonyi South, how do you manage the interest of Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Senator David Umahi, the Afikpo bloc among others. And in Ebonyi North, how would you reconcile the interest of Architect Edward Nkwegu, Chief Elias Mbam, Dr Sam Egwu etc. Definitely, there’s going to interesting melodrama in the coming months. It’s left for you to take urgent and decisive action before it’s too late.
Another impending catastrophe is the fallout of the forthcoming local government elections. It’s going to be a difficult task managing the interest of the so called stakeholders and at the same time maintaining the certainty of your second term bid. The Council Chairmen are key players in electoral victory of any sitting governor. Therefore, if you allow the new entrants to nominate the Chairmen, you may lose grip of the grassroots which is where the bulk votes come from. It’s better to install your core loyalists who will only do your bidding than letting the defectors install their stooges. You may be at their mercy when the die is cast.
Politics is a game of interest and the table may turn any time. Unfortunately, you are not in control of the Abuja group neither do you have 100% control of the members of your cabinet. Thus, if you also lose the grassroots, it entails that you are merely floating politically and at the mercy of the defected political heavyweights in the state. They may decide to frustrate your second term bid and you will be incapacitated to even put a little resistance. You are already aware that you didn’t nominate any of the federal government appointees from the state and worse still you are not in control of the National Assembly members. So, should there be any Abuja- Ebonyi group power tussle like it played out during Sam Egwu ‘s regime, you will be at the receiving end.
I hope this letter gets to you in good faith. The content of the letter is aimed at opening your eyes to the realities on ground. This is because the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know.
Therefore, endeavor to build your own political dynasty but empowering your trusted lieutenants. You should stop being tied at the apron strings of your political godfathers before they will undo you. Hence, anything can happen in politics. Remember what happened to Governors Egwu and Elechi. A stitch in time saves nine.
Yours Truly,
Concerned Citizen.
