Tony Udemba
Orji Orji, Commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Job Creation in Ebonyi State, has enjoined the people of Ebonyi State to vote massively for the re-election of the state governor, Chief Umahi, saying he has performed wonderfully and therefore deserves a second term. Orji who had served as Commissioner for Agriculture in the present government, also noted that the various empowerment programmes embarked upon by the government have successfully empowered many people and created hundreds of new jobs in the state.
What is your take on the driving force behind the level of development in your state?
Simply put, the driving force behind the high level of development taking place in Ebonyi State is this great passion, vision and devotion by our amiable governor, Chief Dave Umahi. I can tell you that he has the passion and the commitment towards developing Ebonyi State, and making it the hub of business and development in the South-east region. In the past three years he has been in office, we have witnessed tremendous development in areas of infrastructure, economic empowerment and great performances in virtually other sectors. I see him as a man with great zeal whom God, in His infinite mercies, has brought to lead the state out of many decades of darkness into a shining star and leading state in the South- east, and across the nation.
It might interest you to know that the governor had served as the chairman of PDP in Ebonyi State, and during that period, he had traversed all the 13 LGAs in the state, which has prepared him sufficiently to know the needs of the people across the state. While serving as the state chairman of PDP, he also built one of the best and most expansive political party structure and edifice in Africa. He was also celebrated as the best PDP state chairman in the whole of Nigeria. This is a man who when he served as the deputy governor of the state, stooped low and showed great humility, sincerity of service and tenacity of purpose, even when he was given the hardest nuts to crack by the then governor. He never gave up, remained dedicated and passionate with his dream of transformation and total development of the state, and later became the governor of Ebonyi State.
When almost everyone doubted if he will become a governor, given the non-cooperation of his boss, God made it possible for him to become the governor of the state, thus making history globally as the first deputy governor in the state to become governor.
When the state was created in 1996, people were calling us the dust of the nation instead of the salt of the nation, probably because of how we were neglected and the poverty situation then, but 20 year afterwards God through His infinite mercies brought someone from the most populous salt community in Nigeria, Uburu , in the person of Dave Umahi and made him the governor of the state, at a time when we had the worst economic down-turn in the country. Today everyone has continued to testify to the wonderful work our amiable governor is doing. I can tell you that from the weight of testimonies coming from many people, the governor has made great difference.
What is your message to the people of Ebonyi State in respect of the second term bid of Gov. Dave Umahi?
My message is very simple. As we approach the 2019 general election, I urge the good people of Ebonyi State to first ensure that they obtain their voter’s card and to stand up to show appreciation for the wonderful work the governor is doing in the state, by voting 100 percent for Gov. Dave Umahi during the 2019 governorship election, to ensure his re-election as the governor of Ebonyi State.
It is pertinent to note that there is the need for Gov. Dave Umahi to be voted back to office again to ensure that he continues with the good work he is doing. I strongly believe that there is no vacancy in the government house of Ebony State. Also I strongly believe that there is the need for the good people of our state to show support for continuity in government to enable the governor consolidate on his good work and further transform the state as a major business hub in the South-east, and in the entire nation. With the good plans our governor has, by the time he spends another four years in office, the massive development and economic transformation in Ebonyi State would be like what is obtainable in the developed world.
I know very well that there are some people who are saying that if it would have been possible, Gov. Umahi would have been asked to continue to be in office even beyond 2023. But due to the constitutional provisions it cannot be possible. Once again I am calling on our people across all the LGAs in the state to ensure that they obtain their own PVC which empowers them to participate actively in the election process, to ensure that Gov. Dave Umahi is re-elected for a second term.
Today, if you go round the state capital you will be amazed at the level of development everywhere, including massive roads networks, three units of modern fly-over, and expansive roundabouts with water fountains, as well as construction of other infrastructure and developmental projects taking place in other parts of the state. It is in Ebonyi State that you can see massive concrete roads construction works linking up different parts of the state and neighbouring states. And it is amazing that all these huge developments and transformations are happening in just three years administration of Gov. Dave Umahi. He is just a rare gift to our state; hence my passionate call is for the people of the state to vote massively to re-turn him to office for the second term.