Ebonyi capable of producing Nigeria’s president, says Nwankwo

I will reject guber slot if zoned to my area, Nwobodo declares
A former Minister of State for Health, Fidelis Nwankwo, yesterday, said the emergence of two presidential aspirants from Ebonyi State, has given it opportunity to produce the next president of the country in 2023.

This followed declaration of intent by former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to run for the presidency.

Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki, Nwankwo, who was minister during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, described the development as a blessing to the state, adding that naturally, he expects the party to win the 2023 presidential elections.

“We are blessed that Ebonyi has two presidential aspirants and it is a good development. It is encouraging that we have two persons, who want to run for the presidency and that gives us opportunity of producing the next president of the country. It is a welcome development and naturally, I expect my party to win,” he said.

He pledged that if he emerged next governor of the state, his administration would tackle employment and education, adding: “I want to contest the governorship position of the state. But I am still consulting with stakeholders.

“Incidentally, I was part of the struggle for the creation of the state. Starting from when I was a student, I participated actively as a student union activist; the drive for the creation of Ebonyi State.”

MEANWHILE, former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, yesterday, maintained that he would reject the governorship slot of Enugu State in 2023, if it was zoned to the Enugu South zone.

Nwobodo stated that it would amount to injustice if leaders of the state allow Enugu South to get the slot when other councils in Enugu East Senatorial zone whose turn it is to produce the next governor have not tasted the office.

He said: “ I am from Enugu south local government. I was a governor. This local government has also produced Senate President Ken Nnamani. We have had an ambassador and occupied other positions in government. Enugu south has also developed. But there are six local governments in Enugu east senatorial zone and if we want equity, we should allow the local government that has not produced a governor to do so in 2023 from Enugu East.”

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Amaechi, Enugu South Council, Nwobodo stated that Nkanu East Council should produce the next governor of the state, stressing: “My position is based on justice, equity, fairness and good conscience.”