Labour Party federal constituency aspirant advises Don Chris to focus on grassroots development and protect voters’ rights
Hon. Chinedu Eya, a Labour Party aspirant for the Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency seat, has urged the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Hon. Chris Onyekachi, popularly known as Don Chris, to promote peace, protect voters’ rights and prioritise the welfare of residents irrespective of their political affiliations.
Eya, who once again congratulated Onyekachi on his emergence as council chairman, also encouraged him to deploy his business experience and managerial skills towards accelerating development in the local government area.
The Labour Party chieftain cautioned against political intimidation, electoral violence and any actions that could undermine citizens’ freedom to support candidates of their choice. He further expressed the view that not all candidates contesting under the All Progressives Congress (APC) were necessarily electable, stressing the importance of allowing voters to make their decisions freely.
In a message addressed to the council chairman, Eya advised him to exercise discernment in assessing the loyalty of political associates and to learn from the experiences of previous administrations.
“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 may not necessarily remain supportive tomorrow. Leadership requires discernment, the ability to learn from past experiences and a commitment to serving the people.
“Coming from business, you know that attractive packaging does not always guarantee a genuine product. Apply that same discernment when assessing the loyalty being presented to you,” Eya said.
Addressing the chairman’s political alignment with the APC, Eya reminded him that public office carries responsibilities to all residents, regardless of party affiliation.
“As you promote your ‘APC top to bottom’ message, remember that you serve people across political parties. Every eligible voter has the right to make an independent political choice. Do not allow political considerations or the desire to win the approval of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to overshadow the need to protect voters’ rights and discourage intimidation, disenfranchisement and violence,” he cautioned.
Eya also acknowledged what he described as Governor Mbah’s impressive performance, expressing the view that the governor’s record should speak for itself and that his re-election ambition should be pursued through a peaceful, free, fair and credible electoral process.
He emphasised that political ambition, party loyalty and the pursuit of political approval should never be used to justify violence or the loss of human life.
“No ambition, party loyalty or political approval is worth a human life. Today's applause will fade, but the consequences of leadership decisions will remain. Let your tenure be remembered for fairness, inclusion and peace,” Eya said.
The Labour Party chieftain urged the council chairman to focus on practical development initiatives that would improve the lives of residents, strengthen community relations and promote peaceful political participation across Igbo-Eze North.
He concluded by reminding the chairman that the legacy of public office is ultimately determined by the impact of one's decisions on the people, invoking the popular maxim: “The evil that men do lives after them.”
