In light of the impending 2027 Gubernatorial election, the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the apex socio-cultural youth organization of Igbo youths worldwide, counsels Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, to maintain focus on the continuation of infrastructural development in Ebonyi State, as begun by former Governor David Umahi, instead of entangling himself in party leadership altercations with his precedessor.
At Abakiliki, Ebonyi, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), remarked on January 29th 2025, that the administration of Gov. Francis Nwifuru has witnessed a decline in the pace of infrastructural development.
Comrade Igboayaka warned that the ongoing leadership dispute between Gov Francis Nwifuru and former Gov. David Umahi is hindering the overall economic growth of Ebonyi and the Ndigbo community at large.
Regrettably, Gov Francis Nwifuru’s eagerness to secure the APC Guber ticket in 2027 has prompted him to engage in unwarranted political blackmails against Sen. David Umahi the current Minister of Works before the presidency in a bid to gain the trust of Mr. President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Unfortunately, Ndigbo are governed by transactional politicians in SouthEast, who deem their re-election more vital than delivering governance to the people.
Gov Francis Nwifuru has prioritized All Progressive Congress(APC) party leadership in Ebonyi over addressing the security challenge in his State.
As the SouthEast’s food basket, Ebonyi State is facing economic struggles resulting from the insecure environment hindering farmers from producing agricultural goods.
Regrettably, the raping and killing of farmers by Fulani herdsmen in Ebonyi have affected the agriculture sector, particularly the production of “Ebonyi Special Rice”. Governor Francis Nwifuru’s priorities seem misplaced as he engages in political blackmail against Sen. David Umahi, seeking to secure APC leadership in Ebonyi, rather than addressing the state’s security challenges, which he should present before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
As the Silent killings and kidnapping continue unabated in Effium areas, Gov Francis Nwifuru has fallen short in the paramount duty of Government, namely protecting lives and properties.
The longstanding communal dispute between Effium and Ezza Effium in Ebonyi State, characterized by persistent violence and destruction, warrants intervention by a responsive administration.
It is imperative that Governor Francis Nwifuru quits party leadership tussles and devises a permanent solution to the Effium and Ezza Effium community killings within 90 days.
Obviously Izzi L.GA has been in danger of fulani herdsmen attack, villages like Ndigwe, Ataloga, Odokem, Ekile, Nduobasi, Ekpufu, Obakota etc should have indigenous community vigilante funded by State Government.
Ado and Oju LGAs of Benue State are neighboring communities to Izzi of Ebonyi; our intelligence gathering indicates porous security. Governor Francis Nwifuru must prevent any recurrence of Fulani violence in that area. Implementing preventive measures is crucial to safeguarding the lives and properties of the people.
Concentrated efforts should be made to establish indigenous community vigilantes in areas such as Obeagu, Egedegede, and Nkaleha in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, in order to counter potential attacks. Moreover, the Ebele people in Ngbo community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, who reside in a remote area, and all communities in Ohaukwu, should establish community vigilantes that are equipped with modern security equipment to ensure their safety.
It would be more beneficial for Gov Francis Nwifuru to concentrate on this and make it his priority instead of engaging in a political party leadership controversy With Sen. David Umahi because of the recent appointments of Chief Austin Umahi and others.
