A group, Transform Ebonyi Citizens Initiative (TEBCI) is canvassing the position that the battle for political offices in Ebonyi this time be left for only those who have proven to be truly Ebonyian.

A statement issuedon Sundayand signed by the group said that Ebonyi people in their quest for leaders should seek out indigenes that are from among them and not from the upper circle or those born and raised abroad who only hear about Nigeria on pages of newspapers and on TVs.

The statement signed by Comr. Nwokwu Daniel C, Chief (Dr) Haroun O. Ajah and Mr. Iyke Nwachukwu, said: “Ebonyi as one of the poorest states in southern Nigeria needs leaders who understand her plight and shares her pain, and not just leaders but God-fearing leaders who have tasted her pain. We need leaders who are from among us to transform, reform, rebuild and change the face of our dear state. We need leaders that understand that our people/youths are the ones scattered across the country hawking and doing most irrelevant jobs being pursued, mocked and arrested as criminals on jobs and things not capable of putting food on their table or taking care of their livelihoods.”