Ebonyi Governor explains statement on National Conference, denies calling it a huge joke

#Blames opposition elements for the misrepresentation

Disturbed by the widespread criticisms that have greeted a report that indicated that he condemned the holding of the National Conference, Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi has denied the statement credited to him. He said that at no time during the reported interaction did he say that hosting the national conference would be a huge joke.

In a press statement, the governor’s chief press secretary, Okechukwu Eni said that the governor instead said that it would be a huge joke for anyone to canvass the idea of state representation during the conference, when there are 36 states recognised on the constitution.

The statement regretted that ‘partisan opposition elements’ manipulated the governor’s comments to heat up the polity and achieve the selfish goals.

The governor had explained that basing the national conference on zonal premise would amount to returning to the regional form of administration which is not in the interest of Ebonyi State.

The governor added that in designing a new constitution, it would be necessary to considered the outcomes of past conferences.