Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has challenged the over 600 Senior Technical and Technical Assistants appointed by him to ensure that they deliver all People’s Democratic Party candidates in their wards in the 2019 general elections or be shown the way out.
Umahi gave the challenge on Thursday at his Uburu, Ohaozara country home when the Forum of STAs and TAs paid him Christmas homage.
Addressing the aides, Umahi stressed that no excuses would be tolerated from any of them who fail to live up to expectations in the discharge of his or her official duties, especially in such a manner as to win the confidence of the people.
He reminded them to see their appointments as opportunities for political growth rather than an end in itself, assuring that any of them that mobilises the best results in the forthcoming elections would be upgraded to the post of a Special Adviser to the Governor
Umahi said: “If you fail in your polling units, we will do send-off party for you.
“If you are looking for a higher office and you have not justified your present position through impactful service and hard work, you are not worthy to continue working with me.
“The first TAs and STAs that would mobilise the best results in the election would be upgraded to SAs.
“So there is no excuse but to give the PDP victory in all the wards in the State.”
Umahi, however, regretted that most leaders sacrificed quality service to the people at the alter of extreme politics and advised the aides to promote self reliance, creativity and enterprise, which he described as the only hope for the economic emancipation of Nigeria.
He emphasized that the future of the State is guaranteed if all and sundry were meaningfully engaged in productive handiworks and endeavours, establish cottage industries, engage in agriculture, etc, adding that such was the secret of China’s economic development.
The leader of the Forum and a Special Adviser to the Governor on TAs and STAs Matters, Chidozie Igwe, in his remarks assured the Governor of their unflinching support to him and all PDP candidates come 2019.
Igwe lauded the Governor’s initiative in the appointment of the aides, describing it as the highest political employment ever recorded in the history of the State.
According to him, the appointment has had multiplier effect on the economy of the State over the last three and half years of Umahi’s administration as most of the aides have created further jobs and empowerments via their activities.
Igwe added that as foot soldiers of the government, they have collectively resolved to replicate the good works of the Governor in their various jurisdictions and promised that they would leave no stone unturned at ensuring that Umahi and other PDP candidates get victory in 2019.