BY: PRINCE BARR. NDUBUISI ONWE CHIBUEZE AGBO, FORMAL COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION EBONYI STATE.
Recall that the Government of Ebonyi State led by Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi had repeatedly announced via the Government radio and television outfit (EBBC) that I, Prince Barr. Ndubuisi Onwe Chibueze-Agbo, the Utuku Nshiegbe II of Izhia should prove my allegations against the State Government within 7 days or face legal actions. This is my reply to the government as I have no radio nor television outfit but thank God for Facebook. I have submitted the letter and it has been acknowledged by the state government. This is the letter:
29th September, 2017
His Excellency,
Chief David Nweze Umahi,
Government House,
Abakaliki.
Through:
The Head of Service,
Ebonyi State.
Your Excellency,
RE: ALLEGATION AGAINST THE STATE GOVERNMENT
The Ebonyi State Government’s letter referenced HOS/PMS/AD.0007/VOL.11/137 dated 23rd September, 2017 and signed by Dr. Chamberlain Nwele, Head of Service refers; I wish to reply as follows:
1. That everything contained in my petition to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria dated 13th September, 2017 are true and factual. They are not mere allegations and I hereby reinstate and certify them as correct.
2. That my letter to the President should be properly read because from the tone of your letter, it is as if you did not comprehend the contents of my petition very well.
3. That I hereby adopt not only my petition to Mr. President dated 13th September, 2017 but also my three (3) other petitions which you also have your own copies:
(a) To the President dated 15th October, 2015.
(b) To Your Excellency dated 16th June, 2016.
(c) To the Inspector General of Police dated 20th September, 2017.
4. I want to state categorically that the Government of Ebonyi State under your leadership is not only corrupt but wicked, lawless, undemocratic, roguish, unprincipled, unscrupulous, mischievous and a hoax. It is an example of what Democracy is not.
5. Recall what you said earlier this year, justifying your reason for the sack of the Caretaker Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Justus Ugwu, when you said and I quote: “Those who occupy public offices should not abuse it.”
Is it not hypocritical that a leader who made this statement will run amok anytime accountability is demanded of him? Let me make it very clear, you cannot run away from accountability for that was part of the oath of office you took on the 29th May, 2015 at the Abakaliki Township Stadium – To uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Recall also, that you took that oath with the Holy Bible and in the name of God.
6. That “the evil that men do lives after them: the good is oft interred with their bones.” – (Julius Caesar, spoken by Mark Anthony).
In your inaugural address to Ebonyi people, you promised not to steal even a kobo from Ebonyi State Treasury and you swore in the name of God, but you know that you have not kept to that oath. You also promised not to run the government as a family business; you know too that you have failed to keep that promise. If you think that you have deceived Ebonyi people, you cannot deceive God for He is a Spirit and nothing could be hidden from Him. – Galatians 6:7-8, Proverbs 11:18; Proverbs 14:14.
7. That the threat that I will face legal action after 7 days unless I forward proofs of my allegations is just another gimmick and a cover-up trick. It is a mere witch-hunt approach that will not bring any positive result. I challenge you to a debate with a neutral and unbiased panel not Ebonyi State High Court where you are already planning to get a black market judgement since your brother Roy Umahi had made an allusion to that in his post on Facebook. (But thank God we still have responsible men in our bench, your loquacious brother lawyer’s threat notwithstanding).
8. That my letter was addressed to Mr. President with a call to save the soul of Ebonyi State. Your plan to rush to court is mischievous as it is not the duty of the court to investigate allegations of this nature. There are institutions created for that. Let us see how the Presidency shall respond to my patriotic call first. Don’t be in a hurry sir.
9. That you are very correct to say that I am the SA to the former Governor, His Excellency Chief Martin Elechi and as such the State Government pays me a monthly allowance. Please make public what you pay me since you have announced repeatedly in the State television and radio station that I am in your payroll. We are talking of the soul of the entire state that is endangered and you are talking of an individual’s interest. I think that something must be wrong somewhere?
10. Recall that I have served the State as the Commissioner for Education and you have refused to pay me and others our severance allowance even when you have paid yourself same. What I owe Ebonyi people at all times is to serve them whether in Government or outside the Government. I am not interested in any pecuniary interest. What I want for Ebonyi people and indeed Nigeria is freedom to enjoy our rights, security and general welfare. No more, no less.
11. That your illegal sealing of three (3) Government Approved Schools in a commando style and throwing over 1000 innocent students out of school and rendering staff thereto unemployed because they have relationship with me cannot change the facts on ground, neither will it change my position.
12. Questions begging for answers, sir:
(a) Let Ebonyi people know if we have a published audited account since you came into office.
(b) Tell Ebonyi Civil Servants that you have not cut their salaries by over 50% immediately you came to power.
(c) Tell the Local Government staff that the Local Government allocation is not being tampered with and that all is well with the system.
(d) Explain to us why you now want to borrow in Dollars, a currency that is not steady in value and always fluctuates to the disadvantage of our Naira.
(e) Tell the Civil Servant that you have not advertized forms for the position of Permanent Secretaries in Ebonyi State. Since you started announcing this on air, most of our civil servants who knew the truth are calling me and are laughing at your mischievousness.
(f) Tell the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Ebonyi State Chapter that you did not impose a retired teacher on their leadership before my petition dated 13th September, 2017.
(g) Tell the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Ebonyi State Chapter that you have not discerped and inflicted crises on their leadership.
(h) Tell the Founding Fathers that you are treating them like your elders.
(i) Tell your commissioners that they are allowed to contribute properly and freely in ex-co deliberations and that they are in control of their ministries.
(j) Tell Ebonyi people that you have not fixed the money the Federal Government released for their welfare in fixed deposits.
(k) Tell the pensioners that they are happy with the way you are handling their welfare and payment.
(l) Questions begging for answers are seemingly endless.
(13) Let me once more appeal to you to change you queer style of leadership and apologize to Ebonyi people for your prodigality. Appoint Permanent Secretaries into the service, for they are very essential in the day to day running of the Government. They are the custodians of Government rules, policies and accountability.
(14) The earlier you appreciate that we are in a democratic state, where the Rule of Law is in vogue; where the constitution is supreme; where constructive criticisms is appreciated; where accountability is of right and not of choice, the better for all of us.
(15) Accept the assurances of my due respect for your office.
(16) Thank you sir.
Prince Ndubuisi Onwe Chibueze-Agbo
Utuku Nshiegbe II of Izhia.