NJF Makes Case For Ezea’s Replacement, Calls For Justice, Equity, Fair Play  

By Cosmas Chukwu—

The Nsukka Journalists Forum (NJF), an association of practising journalists from the Enugu North Senatorial Zone, has called on the political leaders in the area to ensure that equity, justice, and fair play prevail in selecting a replacement for Senator Okey Ezea to represent the Enugu North district.

In a statement jointly signed by Benson Ezugwu and Felix Abugu, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the Forum urged the political stakeholders in the zone to maintain the existing unwritten power rotation to ensure peace and unity.

“It is a glaring fact that power rotation has been an established practice, not only in Enugu North Senatorial District but also in other areas across the country.

“Okey hailed from Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency; thus, we strongly support that whoever replaces him must come from the same Nsukka/Igboeze South constituency.

“While we recognise the right of politicians from other constituencies to contest elections, it is in our people’s interest and for the unity of purpose that the zone maintains its political cohesion to achieve set goals,” NJF stated.

The group also urged the zone to resist external interference in the choice of Ezea’s replacement, “as this will portray us as poorly organised people,” asserting that a senator imposed upon us would not represent the best interests of our populace but rather the narrow interests of those who placed them there.

“No individual, group, or entity should impose anyone on us as the senator representing our zone; our people are capable of making informed choices regarding who replaces Okey Ezea.

“The replacement of our late senator should be a collective decision by the leaders and stakeholders of the senatorial district in an atmosphere of peace and conviviality.

“Late Senator Ezea set a high standard during his brief stay in the upper legislative chamber through his organic representation, pushing motions that impacted his people; we aspire for no less a representative.”

The Forum commended the entire Nsukka populace for the spectacular farewell accorded to Okey Ezea in his hometown of Itchi, describing the large crowd that gathered to pay their last respects as the “core spirit of Nsukka people.”

“When you do good, posterity will remember you; Ezea lived for his people, died a hero of his people, and was appreciated by his people even in death,” the statement concluded.