By UKA NWAFOR, Abakaliki –
The FON-8 Ezza Ezekuna Support Group has officially endorsed Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for a second term in office, citing his remarkable achievements and commitment to the development of Ebonyi State.
Led by prominent government officials from Ezza extraction, including Rt Hon Victor Chukwu, Commissioner for Environment, Chief Oguzor Offia-Nwali, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, and Chief Lazarus Ogbee, former Member of the Federal House of Representatives, the group expressed immense gratitude to the Governor for remembering Ezza clan in his administration.
During a tumultuous gathering at Government House in Ochudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, on May 29, 2025, the group pledged their unalloyed support for the Governor’s re-election bid in 2027. They hailed Governor Nwifuru’s leadership as unprecedented, highlighting his efforts in infrastructure development, human capital development, and empowerment programs that have brought relief to the people of Ebonyi.
The group’s leader emphasized the Governor’s achievements, including clearing pension and gratuity arrears, revitalizing the Human Institution for Policy Analysis and Capacity Building (HIPAC), awarding local and foreign scholarships, and promoting peace in conflicting communities. They also commended the Governor’s inclusive government, which has seen the appointment of many sons and daughters of Ezza Ezekuna into the current administration.
Emmanuel Oyota, a member of the group, stated that Governor Nwifuru’s leadership has given the Ezza people a sense of belonging, unlike past administrations that marginalized them. He expressed confidence that the group’s endorsement would collapse opposition and ensure the Governor’s re-election.
Oyota further noted that the Governor’s reconciliation efforts and numerous achievements have paved the way for his successful re-election bid.
“Let me not mince words, the people championing the FON-8 Ezza Ezekuna Support Group are men that matter in Ezza land. The like of Rt Hon Victor Chukwu, Commissioner for Environment, Chief Oguzor Offia-Nwali, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chief Lazarus Ogbee, Fmr Member, Fed House of Reps, among others, are capacities. Politics is not all about speaking grammar, it is all about doing what the people want and giving people sense of belonging. We are advocating for the re-election of the Governor, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for second term in office, not just because he is an APC governor, but because he has done and still doing well. His administration is good and we love him. He deserves second tenure so that he can continue his good work. After all, it’s said that one good turn deserves another.
” The governor is the only governor that has given Ezza clan a sense of belonging by giving sons and daughters of Ezza extraction a place in his government with several political appointments unlike past governments that rather marginalised the clan.
“Governor Francis Nwifuru through his good governance is reconciling oppositions in the state. For the diehard oppositions like Professor Benard Ifeanyichukwu Odo, the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2023 general election to have attended the event of second anniversary today in order to identify with the governor says it all, that there will be no opposition in Ezza clan come 2027. So I’m indeed happy today because this is the first time Ezza man, a brassbound opposition, came to reconcile with government in power.” Oyota stated.
