Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has pledged to donate N5 million to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the State, Sonni Ogbuorji, to assist him procure befitting billboards for his campaigns.
Umahi, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the election, made the pledge on Thursday at Ezillo, Ishielu Local Government Area headquarters, during a PDP governorship campaign rally in the area.
The governor scorned the quality of the few APC billboards spatially scattered across the State capital, describing the picture and print quality as an eyesore, unfit for the present image of the State.
He expressed the belief that the amount would enable the opposition candidate rent more billboards as well as improve their pictures and other contents.
Umahi, who maintained that his team has harvested blessings from both the ministers of God and traditional rulers in the State, noted that he has received power for smooth sail into his second tenure.
He appreciated God for using him to return peace to the previously troubled Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo communities in the council area and commended the people for their cooperation, promising to continue to advance the tempo of development in the area.
Umahi said: “My brother, the one who said he is contesting for governor, Ogbuorji, let them change their picture now, with his so-called deputy.
“I beg, I want to donate N5 million to assist them to change their posters.
“I want them for the image of Ebonyi State to change those pictures and billboards.
“Chief of Staff should release N5 million immediately to them as soon as they come.
“We have harvested all the prayer of the men and women of God and those of our traditional fathers.
“When this set of people pray for you, the journey will be smooth for you.”
Members of the National Assembly from the area, including Senator Obinna Ogba, Edwin Nwonu as well as other stakeholders in their separate speeches expressed gratitude to the Governor for all he had done for the council area, especially for restoring peace between Ezillo and former Ezza-Ezillo communities.
The Director-General of Divine Mandate, Governor Umahi’s campaign platform, Chris Nwankwo, said Umahi’s campaign was anchored on achievements rather than fiction, adding that he had cowed other parties in the State with unbeatable scorecard.
The State PDP Chairman, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, added: “The massive turn out of the people is a true testimony that the governor has done well for Ishielu and indeed all parts of the State.”
The event, attended by all the prominent politicians in the council area, witnessed innumerable crowd of party supporters.
Party flags were handed over to the party’s candidates for all levels of elective post in the area, while the N10 million each community project fund was distributed to all the communities in the council area.
