Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has lauded the quality of governance by three governors in the South-East zone, describing it as satisfactory.
The Governors are Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and David Umahi of Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States, respectively.
This was contained in a statement made available on Monday by the Secretary-General of the Igbo group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
He said the Ohanaeze studied the activities of all Igbo political leaders, especially the Governors in the Southeast amidst security challenges, infrastructure, and economic developments in the year 2021.
He noted that “it has been a tough year for Ndigbo, especially with endless killings, burning of public properties, the militarization of the southeast and a sharp decline in economic and social activities resulting from IPOB sit-at-homes, the escalated chaos and uprising based on the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu.
“However, in these prevailing challenges and circumstances, three southeast Governors were outstanding in security, infrastructural development, peace and stability. The only way to encourage good governance is to give credence to the efforts of these three southeast Governors and encourage them to do more.”
Isiguzoro revealed that, “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state is extraordinary in security and youth empowerment programs through his SME policies, foreign scholarship and grants to Igbo youths, the near realization of the Enyimba Economic City, and many more.
“It’s on record that Abia State recorded zero violence in the face of security challenges unleashed on the residents of the Southeast. There are no records of activities of Unknown Gunmen and criminals in Abia from June to December 2021.
“The Governor’s promotion of made in Aba goods across the world has accelerated government’s assistance to young people in business and manufacturing. The establishment of the Automated shoe factory and cluster is a product of numerous overseas training and education of artisans and traders, which has created jobs for the youths, Governor Ikpeazu has done well in security and youth empowerment.
“Governor Dave Umahi has transformed Ebonyi State from a rural state to an emerging world-class city and suburban area, with first-class infrastructural developments and projects which have attracted tourism and businesses to Ebonyi State.
“This is a new destination for tourists and business owners. Ebonyi is a non-oil-producing State, with the least federal allocation in the Southeast, but through the magic wand of Governor Umahi, the state has witnessed a lot of legacy projects which will sustain its infrastructural strides and agricultural developments for decades after the exit of Governor Umahi”.
“Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State will be remembered as a man of peace and a silent achiever, with sustainable developments in infrastructure.
“His unification of all political divides into a single and strong Enugu State has ended politically motivated violence and killings in Enugu, which characterized the State for decades.
“Ndigbo will ever be grateful to Enugu Governor Ugwuanyi for keeping the hope alive for an Igbo to fly the PDP Presidential ticket in 2023. He worked tirelessly through the PDP committee on party zoning and guaranteed that the party chairmanship returned to the North for a possible Southern Presidential flag bearer in 2023, which favours the Igbo,” he further stated.
