My life threatened for challenging the governor of Ebonyi – Agom-Eze

Member of the All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi State, Ms. Ann Agom-Eze, who is contesting the senatorial seat of Ebonyi South, tells EDWARD NNACHI the persistent threat and harassment she has been subjected to since the start of the competition

When did you begin to harbor ambitions to represent the Ebonyi South Senate District in the Senate?

I retired as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Housing, Ebonyi State in 2015 after 35 years of meritorious service. My husband, while I was in service, had tried to become governor and the Senate, but had not succeeded. It is said that behind every successful man there is a woman, so I was aware of the process and was supportive and also learned a lot from this experience. When I retired, I believed that I had not yet exhausted my knowledge and my strength and that I still had much to offer the nation. My father was a politician at his level and was the president of the former local government of Afikpo. During my university studies, I participated in politics. I have always tried to be a voice at different levels of my life and to lend my support when the need arises. I am particularly encouraged by my exemplary involvement in the public service and the wealth of my experience accumulated over the years until my retirement from the service. I was therefore confident that I am eminently qualified to serve my people as a Senator because of my background, my exposure to the workings of government, my passion for excellence and my credible record in public service. over the years. My related public experience has become a motivating factor to serve my people and it will be a serious advantage in the field of legislation.

Did those who represented the area in the past not do so effectively or did you feel the need for a paradigm shift?

The senators from my zone who came before me did well. (William) Shakespeare compared each of us to an actor living his life like a role in a play. Some doors and opportunities will open for us and others will be closed. Since 1999, no woman in our entire area has gone to the National Assembly and I believe that I should be supported so that I can be the difference that Ebonyi Sud needs. Beyond my related experience in public service, I am aware of what it takes to maintain a household. I am confident that I will be able to take care of my people and meet their needs. I look forward to this position as I can and will be able to represent my people like never before.

Some say you were a close ally of Governor Dave Umahi, when did the confrontation between you and him begin?

Governor Dave is our governor. I have no problem with him. How can I have a face-to-face with a man who has such incredible powers. The governor served as the state chairman of the People's Democratic Party. He was Deputy Governor and now Governor. He aspired to be the president of this country while I aspired to be the senator representing the senatorial district of Ebonyi South. These are two different aspirations. According to our 2022 election law, you cannot sign two nomination forms in the same election year. However, when he failed in his bid for the presidency, his brother resigned for him because he was the one who won the primaries on May 28, 2022. With that, the governor, as I heard, went make another primary for possible substitution. This primary was held on June 9, 2022 and the governor would have been declared the winner without telling me. Unfortunately, the Independent National Electoral Commission did not include his name on the INEC list which was released on July 24, 2022. The Governor was unhappy with the situation and he went to the High Court Federal Court of Abakaliki to obtain a court order in Suit No. FHC/AI/CS/132/2022.

Tell us about the May 28, 2022 APC Senate Primary and why you were finally joined in the case after INEC omitted Umahi's name?

I was only made aware of the lawsuit and asked my lawyer to be present in court to observe the proceedings and that if I was mentioned a request should be made to join the lawsuit. This was the case, and my lawyer made the necessary request and I was added to the lawsuit. On July 22, 2022, there was a resounding judgment from the Federal High Court, Abakaliki, which was celebrated across Nigeria and beyond. The ruling said that since I was the last person to run in the May 28 primary, which is known to be the genuine primary for the 2023 election, there should be a special primary for my confirmation as a candidate. Even their press man, Chooks Okoh, in his reaction said that "the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki on Friday recognized Princess Ann Agom-...