By Nkechinyere Ewa, Abakaliki
Members of the Ikwo Noyo community residing in Unagboke Village, Azugwu, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have pledged their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate for Abakaliki Local Government Area, Hon. Alo Chidiebere, ahead of the forthcoming local government election in the state.
The Ikwo Noyo people, drawn from the five autonomous communities that make up the clan, paid a solidarity visit to Chidiebere at his residence on Sunday, describing his peaceful disposition and interventions in the community as key factors that had promoted harmonious coexistence among residents of Unagboke Village.
The delegation was led by Chief. Celestine Nwele, a former Special Assistant to the first civilian governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu on Science and Technology, who said the visit was primarily to appreciate Chidiebere for his contributions to peace and unity among the various groups living in the community.
Nwele explained that the community had enjoyed relative peace because of Chidiebere’s efforts to protect the interests of residents irrespective of their ethnic or local government backgrounds.
According to him, the Ikwo Noyo people came not only to congratulate Chidiebere on securing the APC ticket but also to identify with him on the occasion of Nefioha, an important festival celebrated by the Ikwo people.
He said: “We came here to felicitate with the incoming chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area and to congratulate him on the ticket that has been given to him, which we believe will lead to his becoming the substantive chairman in a few days.
“Today is Nefioha, the festival day for Ikwo people, and we came to share the joy of the celebration with him. We also came because Chief Alo has really helped Ikwo people living in this village.
“,whatever we ask for, he makes sure we get it. We have been living very peacefully with the people of this village courtesy of his actions. Even when there were issues that could have affected Ikwo people, his influence made sure that those living here were protected.”
Nwele said the community was convinced that Chidiebere would succeed as chairman and pledged to provide him with the necessary support and professional advice to enable him to deliver effectively if elected.
He added that the solidarity visit was an expression of the confidence the Ikwo Noyo people had in the APC candidate and his capacity to provide inclusive leadership.
Also speaking at the gathering, Professor Michael Otuma, a former Special Assistant on higher Education to Governor Martin Elechi and a member of the community, said Chidiebere had demonstrated the leadership qualities required to serve as chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area.
Otuma said the candidate’s political experience, community development record and peaceful disposition were among the qualities that made members of the community consider him worthy of the position.
He noted that Chidiebere had built his political career from the grassroots, beginning from councillorship, and had established himself as a politician with strong links to community development.
“He has developed these political virtues because he started politicking right from councillorship. He has made his name in politics. He has made his name in community development, and he has made his name in peaceful disposition.
“He has been in the forefront of peace in this community, in Abakaliki and in the state,” Otuma said.
According to him, peace remains the foundation of meaningful development, stressing that no community or local government can achieve sustainable progress in an atmosphere of crisis and division.
“Leadership is all about peace. If there is no peace, there will be no development. So, we are very happy and we are supporting him, and we are praying that he will win the election,” he said.
Otuma also commended Governor Nwifuru for supporting the choice of Chidiebere, describing the candidate as development-oriented and capable of contributing positively to the growth of Abakaliki Local Government Area.
Responding, Chidiebere thanked God and the Ikwo Noyo people for the love and goodwill demonstrated through the visit.
He assured the people that, if elected chairman, his administration would be for every resident of Abakaliki Local Government Area, regardless of ethnic or community affiliation.
He said Abakaliki, being the capital local government of the state, belonged to everybody and promised to work towards ensuring that all residents enjoyed peace, security and good governance.
“I still believe that this government is for everybody. It is for Izzi people, it is for Ikwo people, it is for Ezza people, because I am going as Abakaliki Local Government chairman, and that is the capital city of the state.
“Our local government belongs to everybody, and I am there to take care of everybody and make sure that everybody in my local government is happy with the administration and supports our governor in his good work,” he said.
The APC candidate also urged the people to remain committed to the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru and support policies and programmes capable of strengthening unity and development in the state.
Chidiebere described the APC as a party with a strong commitment to inclusiveness, arguing that its zoning arrangement provides opportunities for people from different zones, local government areas and wards to participate in leadership.
He maintained that the party also recognises and rewards the commitment and hard work of its members.
The solidarity gathering brought together representatives of the five autonomous communities that make up the Ikwo Noyo clan, underscoring the broad representation of the group at the event.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for the Ikwo Noyo community to reaffirm its commitment to peaceful coexistence with other ethnic groups and communities resident in Abakaliki Local Government Area.
A major highlight of the visit was a special prayer session for Chidiebere ahead of the local government election.
The gathering also featured birthday prayers for Chief Uzoamaka Nwifuru, wife of the Ebonyi State Governor and a daughter of the Ikwo Noyo clan.
The community members prayed for God’s guidance, protection and success for Chidiebere as he prepares for the local government election, while also praying for continued peace, unity and progress in their respective communities.
Correspondent reports that the visit ended with renewed assurances of support for Chidiebere and a call for continued cooperation among the various ethnic groups and communities residing in Abakaliki Local Government Area.