Nweze, the Chairman of Nwifuru's Campaign Council in Ohaozara Local Government Area (LGA) during the 2023 general elections said in an interview that the governor's good governance and general acceptance by the people, dissuaded the people from participating in the protest.
The Former Chairman of Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi said that protest can only thrive in an environment where the leaders are not responsive to the yearnings of the people as Ebonyi's case is different.
"Ebonyi people are lucky to have a governor who mixes proctiveness with passion to serve the people and when such attributes are lacking in leadership, the people will have cause to complain.
"The governor convened a stakeholders/ youth summit where all segments of the state were inaundated with his policies and actions so far in office which should not be derailed by any breakdown of law and order.
"Having realised that the peace model set by the governor has greatly benefited the state, the people at the summit, acknowledged the negative tendencies that any form of protest can bring to the state.
"They are aware that protests in this clime are easily hijacked by hoodlums whose stock in trade is wanton looting and destruction of both public and private facilities.
"Ebonyi cannot afford such occurrences at a period it has become the pride and envy of other states due to its infrastructural strides that cannot be seen in any part of the country.
"Unscrupulous elements might capitalise on such opportunities to.perpetuate mayhem and destroy facilities that took the state painstaking financial prudence to establish."
The Former Vice Chairman of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria (ALGON) Ebonyi state chapter, noted that the.clairvoyance of the government and people of Ebonyi has been greatly vindicated with reports of killings, looting and destruction of properties in some parts the country.
"We have witnessed mayhem in the name of protests despite the fact that President Bola Tinubu has duly addressed Nigerians over the protest.
"Ebonyi has been peaceful, no protest, no killing, looting or destruction of properties as the people have been going about their lawful businesses, united under the endearing leadership of a pragmatic leader.".
He noted that the pearless foresight of the governor in uniting alll.political and social leaders of Ebonyi has proven to be a master-stroke as all shades of opinion are now merged progressively and developmentally under one roof.
"We now have leaders ably supporting the governor and moving in directions that consolidate on past achievements and desire to move the state forward.
"Mischief makers can leverage on dissenting inclinations to disrupt an efficient system, in the guise of political affiliations or opposition.
"The people have seen the wondrous works of the governor from employment of civil servants, offset of arrears of pension and gratuities owed workers, employment of health personnel in the general hospitals across the state, empowerment of youths and the vulnerable, massive infrastructural strides among others,"
Nweze also praised the governor for sustaining the father and son relationship which exists between him and his mentor---- the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi as such endearing relationship has benefitted the state tremendously.
"As leaders of the south east geo-political zone of the country, both the governor and the minister were unwavering in urging Ebonyi and south east people to shun the protest.
"Such harmonious relationship between people at the top, brings peace, unity, conviviality, progress and development to a society and the people would always wish for such leaders and synchronisation in leadership.
"It is said that when two elephants fight, the grass suffer and it can also be said that when two elephants are at peace, the grass will revel and blossom in peace,"
He noted that to show his sterling leadership qualities, the governor duly thanked the people especially youths for following wise counsel and shunning the protest.
"To show his appreciation, the governor has pledged to empower 1,300 youths across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state with one million Naira each to grow their businesses.
"Each LGA will produce 100 youths
as the governor extolled their high sense of responsibility and interest in the progress and development of the state.
"This is the kind of leadership the people will see and they will not listen to anyone who tells them to protest or cause disharmony."
