The Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Chief Francis Nwifuru has said that traditional rulers from his area can endorse him as their candidate for the 2023 governorship polls.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traditional rulers of Izzi Local Government Area of the state recently endorsed Nwifuru, a situation that was condemned by aspirants and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nwifuru made the declaration on Monday in Abakaliki while interacting with newsmen after visiting the executive committee members of the APC in the state.
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The speaker said that though he has not yet declared his interest to contest for the position, the traditional rulers’ action was in the interest of the people.
“I don’t see any controversy generated by the adoption as it shows that they have seen an aspirant who would work for the people especially at the grassroots.
“It shows that they are imploring on me to contest the position and I will make my decision public soon,” he said.
He said he was at the party’s headquarters to familiarise with its leadership to fashion ways of enhancing its affairs.
“I am still consulting widely and people should wait till I disclose my next move,” he said.
Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, state Chairman of the party commended the speaker for the visit and noted that it was poised for massive electoral victory in the state.
“Party members can visit us for necessary collaborations and not necessarily for electoral matters.
“Members also have rights to consult the party on their electoral aspirations and we would offer a level playing field to everyone,” he said.
He noted that the party supports the zoning of political offices to ensure equity and fairness.
“Zoning ensures that people from minority areas get shots at political positions and is also enshrined in the party’s guidelines,” he said. (NAN)
