By Israel Mbam, Abakaliki
The coming on board of Barr. Sunday Nwankwo as the Executive Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area was greeted with mixed reactions by people within and outside Ikwo Noyo clan. To some, he would be a Chairman for few stakeholders, and to others he would be Chairman for the youths rather than the entire people of Ikwo LGA.
With less than one year in office, and the outcome of the recently conducted general elections in Ikwo LGA, the Chairman has not only disappointed the prophets of doom, but have proven that he is a man on a mission to change the status quo by uniting the people of Ikwo across party lines and status. He has built great legacies that have attracted encomium from the state Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi who rated him as one of the best LGA Chairman in the State and others who described him as round peg in round hole for redefining Local Government Administration in the State.
This youthful and useful action Chairman on assumption of office, developed a new template for inclusive local government administration in Ikwo LGA. He started by getting all the segments of Ikwo Local Government system functioning optimally and proactively involving all persons and groups in the affairs of the Council.
Evidence of the uncommon leadership qualities of Barr. Sunday Nwankwo was further made manifest in the recently concluded general elections. Unlike other times when Ikwo was known for electoral violence and killings, the 2023 elections were not only peaceful, devoid of violence and killings. But, the people overwhelmingly showed him appreciation and uncommon solidarity by voting massively for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in both the first, second and the supplementary elections on 28th February, 11th March and 15th April, 2023 respectively.
Stakeholders across party lines are unanimous in their assessment of Barr. Nwankwo who they say, has exceptional leadership qualities and his impacts are already seen by all persons, both at Home and in Diaspora.
They hold that he has surpassed expectations, and that one could only imagine what would happen at the end of his administration when the pace he has set would manifest in plentitude of great deeds and accomplishments.
Prior to the 2023 general elections, Barr. Nwankwo as a leader who desires the best for his people, sponsored through Ikwo Development Union (IDU), National Association of Ikwo Noyo Media Practitioners (NAIMP) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a one-day Political and Media Summit with all political parties and candidates of Ikwo Noyo extraction in attendance. At the summit, the Council boss, the organizers and stakeholders sued for peaceful electioneering process devoid of violence and bloodshed in all parts of Ikwo. The event featured the signing of peace pact by all the candidates. Pundits described this singular action as a stepping-stone for a peaceful 2023 general elections in Ikwo LGA, and indeed, they were vindicated.
Under Barr. Nwankwo’s administration, political parties were given level playing grounds for their campaigns, security of lives and properties were given priority, and the elections recorded large turnout of electorates who were motivated by the leadership ingenuity of the LGA Chairman to come out and exercise their franchise without fear of intimidations.
As a firm believer in equity, justice and fairness, Barr. Nwankwo and other stakeholders of Ikwo, especially in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC galvanized the people of Ikwo to support the rotation of Ebonyi State Governorship seat to Ebonyi North, hence, the massive support and votes for the APC Governorship Candidate, and Governor Elect, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. Aside the Governorship seat, the Council Chairman ensured that the people of Ikwo who are known for their hospitality, accommodation and fairness supported Ezza South to produce the Senator representing Ebonyi Central, Ikwo LGA for Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, Echara Community and Inyimagu for Ikwo North and South State constituency respectively.
The landslide victory of all the APC candidates in Ikwo LGA in the 2023 general election has further given credence to the quality, inclusiveness and people-oriented leadership prowess of the Council Boss; Barr. Sunday Nwankwo who has continued to incorporate all segments of people in the affairs of the Council.
Now that the people of Ikwo Noyo clan stood tall in the decision of who takes what in the State, it is pertinent for all Sons and Daughters of Ikwo Noyo clan irrespective of political affiliation to join hands with the peoples’ Chairman in building positive legacies that will stand the test of time in Ikwo LGA.
Following his leadership dexterity, humility and political intelligence as demonstrated in the recently conducted elections, Barr. Sunday Basil Nwankwo has continued to garner accolades from many quarters; Youths, Women, Civil Servants, Political Leaders, Traders among others, who believe that an era of plausible legacies have come and are glad to be witnesses. Barr. Nwankwo has no doubt, given a Midas touch to governance and leadership in Ikwo LGA.
The prayers of the people remain that Barr. Sunday Nwankwo and Ikwo LGA will continue to succeed to the glory of God.
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