Ebonyi Governor Booed, Humiliated At President Jonathan’s Rally In Abakaliki

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election Saturday, January 17th, 2015

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Abakaliki – Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi state, on friday received the embarrassment and humiliation of his life, as chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party PDP from the state, refused him from speaking during president Goodluck Jonathan,s campaign rally in Abakaliki.

Elechi, was sidelined throughout the event, even as the master of ceremony, MC, could not recognise his presence at the ceremony,as allegedly directed by his political enemies, led by secretary to Government of the Federation, (SGF), chief Pius Anyim.

The governor, was listed on item 9 of the official programme of the event to speak, but was not called upon to do so throughout the event.

When it was time for Elechi, to address the gathering, the National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Muazu, rather,called up the Deputy Governor of the state, Dave Umahi, who is also the Party,s gubernatorial candidate for the forthcoming general polls, and handed over the flag of the party to him.

Unhappy with the treatment meted on Elechi, who was also booed by some people strategically positioned at the Abakaliki Stadium, venue of the rally, to further embarrass him, the immediate past Governor of the State, Dr. Sam Egwu, rose in his defense, saying the refusal to accord the incumbent number citizen of the state, recognition was wrong.

Egwu said; “We have a leader in this state and why Ebonyi is one is that they are peaceful people, they are people that respect culture, they are people that respect authority, they are people that when their leaders speak, they hear him”.

“I want to ask you please, no matter your personal grievances, we have a governor that is in charge of the state, he is our governor and you must as a matter of principle and authority respect him.

“Forget whatever are your personal grievances, the governor is the governor of this state and he is our governor and you must give him all the respect he deserves.

“I want to believe that those who respect their elders, those who know what power is must hear this and respect our leaders; if you are somebody who has personal grievances, take it outside this place, we have Nigerians before us here, we have the president of the country before us here, so please I plead with you,”

Addressing the crowd earlier, President Goodluck Jonathan, who bluntly refused to make any comment on the ill treatment meted on Elechi, went strait to promise that if voted into power for the second term he would continue to ensure that whatever is due the state gets to her.

He said if re- elected, he would continue to partner the state to ensure the upgrade of infrastructures, institutions and industries within the state.

Jonathan, payed tribute to founding fathers of the state, including Late Dr. Akanu Ibiam, late Aja Nwachukwu and Sen Offia Nwali, among others

National Chairman of the Party, Alh Adamu Muazu, the Chairman of the presidential campaign council, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Sen Anyim Pius Anyim and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, had appealed to the people of the state to vote PDP and President Jonathan.