As the race for the 2023 general election gathers momentum, a pro-democracy group, under the aegis of Coalition for Equity, Peace & Justice (CEPJ) has come out strongly against aspirants from Umunneochi Local Government Area contesting the Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency seat, saying it would be unfair for the council area to retain the seat after twenty years in a row.
The group also vowed to rise and mobilize against all House of Representatives candidates from Umunneochi, who dare to contest under any political party during the general elections.
In statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of (CEPJ), Comrade Ahamefula Ihemelandu and Hon. Peace Uche respectively, the group said it would be fair and just for house of representatives seat to return to Isikwuato Local Government Area in 2023.
The group specifically urged the Deputy Whip of the House of Representatives, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha to step down for others for equity and fairness.
The statement reads : “The current brewing political tension stirred by the call for Isikwuato Local Government Area to occupy the House of Representatives seat for Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, can only be doused when all stakeholders unite against the greed of Nkeiruka Onyejeocha to represent the Constituency for a 5th term.
“In the interest of peace, equity and Justice, more so, that Umunneochi has been there for twenty years now, the idea of Umunneochi even contesting again in 2023 should be immediately jettisoned.
“All those who pick nomination forms, especially from the All Progressives Congress, APC, should step down if they are true democrats.
“As a group of democrats, we strongly believe in the principle of equity and fairness as a panacea for peace; progress and, thus our resolve to support rotation to Isikwuato Local Government Area.
“It is against this background that we are advising all the political parties , especially the two major parties, APC and PDP to field only candidates from Isikwuato Local Government Area for the Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency seat,” the group said .