Chief Elias Mbam, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), says he declared intention for the 2023 governorship election because of his desire to serve the Ebonyi people.
Mbam said that the state was in a hurry to catch up with the other developed states in the country, noting that Ebonyi needed a person with vast experience in micro and macroeconomics to drive the Ebonyi project.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Obinna Udenwe, Special Assistant to Mbam on Media on Monday in Abakaliki, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Mbam, who has yet to officially declare to run for the Ebonyi governorship race, noted that he was still consulting with critical stakeholders, both within and outside the state.
According to the statement, the RMAFC chairman, who recently met with sons and daughters of Ebonyi residents in Abuja to consult with them on his ambition, noted that the creation of Ebonyi was divine.
A text of the speech read: “Some of us who followed the process knew that Ebonyi’s creation was nothing but the hands of God.
“There was a time we had to task ourselves to raise money for the actualisation of this dream; others were coming with a ‘Ghana-must-go’ bags of money, but God still gave it to us.
“God didn’t give us a state for just nothing, God gave us a state for a purpose; to enable all Ebonyi people to develop their innate potentials, to work together as brothers and sisters.
“To exploit and develop the natural resources Ebonyi is endowed with, and these are parts of the dreams of our founding fathers.
“After I have appraised the journey so far, and the need to continue to grow Ebonyi, I feel that I have a service to offer to Ebonyi; I feel I’m in a position to contribute further to her growth.
“I feel that I have been blessed in many ways and need to give back to our state and so, I have decided that I will consult with my brothers and sisters to tell you that I’m available to serve, and I need your advice on this project.”
The governorship aspirant said that every indigene of Ebonyi should make a commitment towards the realisation and sustainability of the dreams of the founding fathers.
Mbam said that he was one of the principal beneficiaries of Ebonyi’s creation, stressing that it was time to give back to the state, and its people by offering himself to serve.
“I have always indicated my interest to serve my state, and I’m well prepared for this service.
“From my educational background; working experience through my social contact with people which spans through decades, there is no part of this country I don’t relate with very well.
“I don’t think that among those who have interest in the governorship that there’s anyone who knows the state more than I do.
“I have served this state both as a General Manager of rural electrification board, and general manager of housing corporation.
“I have served the state as Commissioner for Works which earned the state the ‘Golden award’ in rural roads development; there is basically no infrastructure in our state that I cannot be linked with.
“I know what our people need, I grew up in the state, I have been involved in our struggle, and it has always been my dream to serve my people, and to give back to this society that has made me,” the statement read.
Mbam commended individuals, past and present leaders in the state, who had shown genuine commitments and have contributed to the development of the state. (NAN)