‎2027: Ebonyi Youths, Stakeholders Close Ranks, Endorse Gov. Nwifuru for Second Term

‎ ‎ ‎By Nwogha Ndubuisi,Abakaliki

‎ ‎The Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum has formally endorsed the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, for a second term in office, signaling early political consolidation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

‎ ‎The endorsement was announced on Thursday during a well-attended gathering held at the forum’s state secretariat in Abakaliki, along Afikpo Road, with top government officials, political actors, business leaders, and youth stakeholders from across the Izzi bloc in attendance. ‎ ‎Speaking at the event, the forum’s President, Chibueze Elom, said the decision followed what he described as a careful assessment of the administration’s performance, particularly in infrastructure, human capital development, and social welfare. ‎ ‎“Our endorsement is predicated on empirical assessment. The governor has demonstrated administrative capacity and commitment to people-centred governance. ‎ ‎"Continuity at this stage is both strategic and necessary,” Elom stated, adding that the administration has laid a solid foundation that requires consolidation through a second term. ‎ ‎Responding on behalf of members of the State Executive Council from Izzi extraction, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Uchenna Igwe, described the endorsement as a historic affirmation of the governor’s impact and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to his re-election bid. ‎ ‎Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Paul Nwogha, commended the forum for what he called a forward-looking decision, assuring that the governor would be informed while noting ongoing efforts to sustain peace, accelerate rural development, and deepen governance reforms. ‎ ‎In the legislature, a member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Joseph Ununu, declared support for the governor’s second-term ambition, stressing the need for continuity in governance and policy execution. ‎ ‎At the grassroots level, the Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Chinedu Uburu, pledged strong mobilization in support of the governor, assuring that the council would deliver overwhelming electoral backing. ‎ ‎From the private sector, the Chairman of the Quarry Owners Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi chapter, and National President of Izzi Elite, Chikaodiri Ojimba, said the endorsement reflected a unified position among Izzi stakeholders, noting that improved security and policy stability have boosted investor confidence in the state. ‎ ‎The Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Ann Aligwe, highlighted the administration’s inclusive policies, especially the involvement of women and youths in governance, and pledged continued support from women across the state. ‎ ‎Providing historical context, the Chairman of the forum’s Board of Trustees, Ben Nwovu, described the endorsement as a generational decision aimed at safeguarding development gains, while a former President of the forum, Maurice Mbam, said the move was driven by political pragmatism and the need to sustain effective governance. ‎ ‎Stakeholders at the event resolved that no aspirant of Izzi extraction would contest against Governor Nwifuru, underscoring a strategy of internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections. ‎