CAN endorses Umahi for second term

The Ebonyi state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Thursday endorsed Governor David Umahi for re-election in the forthcoming general election.

The Association gave the endorsement at Ezzilo, headquarters of Ishielu local government Area during the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, rally in the council.

All the blocks of can were represented at the event which had over 30 Bishops in attendance who prayer for the governor.

The Chairman of CAN in the State, Rev Fr Abraham Nwali said the association endorsed the governor because of his disposition to peace which led to the lasting peace he has brought to the crisis ridden Ezza-Ezillo axis in the council.

He said the governor has achieved more than was expected not him and this deserves a second term to continue with his people oriented projects across the state.

“All his predecessors had two terms so he deserves a second tenure too”, said the clergyman.

The governor also had the blessings and endorsement of traditional rulers in the council who blessed him and pledged their support for his re-election.

Responding, Governor Umahi, jokingly said he will donate N5m to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Sunny Ogbuorji to enable him change his posters and billboards.

He said he was constrained to make the donation because the posters of the APC guber candidate and his running mate, Justin Ogodo, was not good for the image of the state.

The governor directed his Chief of Staff, Dr. Offor Okorie, to release the money immediately to Ogbuorji and his running mate.

The gesture was however, opposed by PDP supporters in the rally who immediately chanted “no! no! no! no! .

“Tell my brother, the one who said he is contesting governor with the so-called deputy to change their pictures (referring to their posters). People will think that is how Ebonyi people look like.

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“I want to donate N5m naira to assist them change their pictures. For the sake of image of Ebonyi state, let them change those posters and billboards. I want the Chief of staff to release the money immediately to them,” Umahi said, though with pidgin English.

He also warned PDP supporters against attacking members of opposition or tearing their posters or billboards, saying, they are so insignificant and should not be given unnecessary attention.

Umahi also said he was impressed by the massive turnout of people in the rally and commended the stakeholders of the area for the feat.

He recalled that in 2015 when he came to Ishielu to seek for their votes “there was alot of blood shade caused by the Ezillo and Ezza Ezillo communal war but today it has become a history as absolute peace has returned to the area.

He said the peace was made possible through prayers from the clergies.

The governor said there was no alternative to peace because without the return of peace in Ishielu LGA his administration would not have achieved what he has achieved in the area.

He told the cheering crowd to votes for all PDP candidates including the party’s presidential candidate and his running mate.

“Ebonyi state is PDP. Vote for our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; vote for Peter Obi (okwute ndi Igbo), our vice Presidential candidate; vote all the PDP candidates.There is no division in PDP South East. Southeast is totally PDP, Umahi urged the crowd.

He said he was confident that Ishielu people would deliver all PDP candidates in upcoming general election.