*By David Uka, Abakalik
A chieftain of All Progressive Congress APC in Ebonyi state Chief Egwu Chima has warned politicians in the state against the use of hate speeches and inflamatory remarks to avoid hitting the polity.
Chima, a former state commissioner for Information and State Orientation gave the advice in Abakaliki during a briefing with journalists while reacting to a statement credited to Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi against some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state.
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Chima, also a member of the Governing Board of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), urged politicians to shun remarks that could throw the state into needless political crisis.
He said that verbal assaults on the leaders of APC and name-callings by Gov Umahi portend bad open as the 2019 polls draws closer.
“My attention has been drawn to a recent media chat granted to the press by the Governor of Ebonyi, His Excellency, Chief Dave Umahi during which he had tried to adduce principal reasons why he cannot join the All Progressives Congress.
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“In the said media chat, the Governor had described the party leaders including Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as failed leaders.
“As a Former Commissioner in the state and one of the founding fathers of Ebonyi, I feel gravely concerned about such statement coming form a highly placed public figure.
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“The remarks are uncalled for and unwarranted because Onu as the first governor of Abia state led the foundation for the development of the state and left monumental legacies including the famous Abia ‘tower’.
“The achievements of Elechi in the areas of human and infrastructure development cannot be quantified in material terms.
“Elechi’s enduring legacies include; over 36 bridges he built across the 13 local government areas of the state, ultra modern state secretariat complex, international market, three ultra modern rice clusters.
“He built the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation digital station, built Ukawu and Oferekpe water schemes, Akanu Ibiam Inter Conference Centre and other enduring infrastructures.
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“Elechi paid salaries of workers and paid gratuities to retired workers including regular payment of pensions.
“Leaders who committed their energies to the development of their people and state and made landmark achievements cannot be described as ‘failed’ leaders.
“They deserved to be eulogised and commended and not to be cajoled, insulted and even wished death, ” Chima said.
The former commissioner who accused the Governor of not doing much to improve the living standard of the people of Ebonyi and over taxation urged him to focus more on making live meaningful and affordable to the citizenry.
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He also urged the Governor to embark on sustainable physical infrastructure development and human economic empowerment that would emancipate the people from poverty and under development.
