Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has charged the newly sworn-in chairmen and vice chairmen of the 13 local government areas to take development and good governance to the grassroots.
Governor Nwifuru gave the charge on Tuesday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected council chairmen and vice chairmen.
The governor described their inauguration as a significant responsibility, noting that they had sworn to uphold and obey the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He urged the council chairmen to regard their positions as a sacrifice and a call to serve the people, stressing that the responsibilities attached to their offices were enormous.
“This action is unique because we swore to obey the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the governor said.
He added, “The responsibility you swore to obey the Constitution is huge and it is a thankless job. You swore to obey it, you swore to serve the people of your local government, and you must continue to understand and serve the people of this great state.”
Governor Nwifuru also charged the council chairmen to implement the manifesto, policies and programmes of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while protecting the interests of the party.
“As Local Government Chairmen, you must support, pray for and discuss our party, the APC,” he said.
The governor further expressed confidence that the APC would record victory in all elections in the state, declaring that the party would not relinquish any political position to opposition parties.
“We will not leave any position for another party. We will win 100 percent in all elections for our party, APC,” he stated.
Addressing the newly sworn-in vice chairmen, Governor Nwifuru urged them to work harmoniously with their respective chairmen and diligently discharge any responsibilities assigned to them.
“You should respect the chairmen and carry out responsibilities assigned to you. Don’t work against them,” he advised.
The governor charged the newly inaugurated council officials to justify the confidence reposed in them by the people by making grassroots development and effective service delivery a priority.
