...As Labour Party Chieftain Urges Don Chris to Deploy Business Acumen to Develop LGA
A frontline contender for the Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency seat under the Labour Party, Hon. Chinedu Eya, has cautioned the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Hon. Chris Onyekachi, popularly known as Don Chris, against violence and intimidation, urging him not to follow the path of other council chairmen accused of promoting political violence in Enugu State, while noting that many flag bearers of the All progressives Congress, APC are not Electable.
Eya, who once again congratulated Onyekachi on his recent election as council chairman, urged the businessman-turned-politician to deploy his business acumen and managerial expertise towards the development of Igbo-Eze North and the overall welfare of its people.
He also advised the chairman to exercise caution in assessing the loyalty of those currently celebrating his emergence, alleging that some of the individuals applauding him today were instrumental in undermining the previous administration in the local government area.
In a message addressed to the council chairman, Eya said leadership required discernment, warning that the same people celebrating an administration today could turn against it tomorrow if the leadership failed to learn from past mistakes.
“Dear Onyekachi, Chairman of Igbo-Eze North, congratulations once again!
“Be measured in interpreting the applause around you. Some of the same voices celebrating you today helped pull down the previous administration. If the approach to leadership remains the same, public rejection may follow the same path.
“Coming from business, you know that attractive packaging does not guarantee a genuine product. Apply that discernment to the loyalty being presented to you,” Eya stated.
Addressing the chairman's political alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eya urged him to remember that his responsibilities extended to residents and constituents across political divides, regardless of their party affiliations.
“As you promote your ‘APC top to bottom’ message, remember that you serve people across all political parties. Protect their right to choose. Do not allow the desire to please Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to encourage intimidation, disenfranchisement or violence,” he cautioned.
Eya, however, acknowledged what he described as Governor Mbah's impressive performance, arguing that the governor's record should speak for itself and earn him another term through a peaceful, free, fair and credible electoral process.
He stressed that no political ambition, party loyalty or desire for approval should be allowed to justify the loss of human life, urging the council chairman to prioritise peace, fairness and inclusiveness throughout his tenure.
“No ambition, party loyalty or political approval is worth a human life. Today's applause will fade, but the consequences of your decisions will remain. Let your tenure be remembered for fairness, inclusion and peace,” he said.
Eya concluded with a reminder that the consequences of one's actions often outlive the immediate political gains they may bring, invoking the popular maxim: “The evil that men do lives after them.”