Nwogha Ndubuisi– Abakaliki

As the clamour for who succeeds governor David Umahi get tensed with support from various political appointees and support groups coming up with endorsement of Speaker Of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru on Monday, April 12, 2022 denied having ambition to run for the governorship position in the State.

This is coming few days after his endorsement from the national president of Oha-Izhi, the apex socio-cultural organization in Izhi clan, a zone believed to produce the next governor of the state led by His Royal Highness,Eze Sunday Oketa and some traditional rulers of Izhi clan across the twenty six communities in the state.

Eye witness leant on monday, Nwifuru visited the State APC chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha at the Party Secretariat located in Akanu Ibiam International Confrence center Abakaliki.

Speaking with Chief Nwifuru during his visit to the APC State Chairman said his coming to the party Secretariat was to familiarize with the party and not to formally declare his ambition to run for the governorship position of the State in 2023 general election as he’s still consulting stakeholders of the party.

“I came here to familiarize with the party.” Nwifuru said.

The Speaker, however, said his endorsement by the traditional rulers could be a call to work for the people, irrespective of his willingness to join the gubernatorial race, and added that he is still making consultations.

“If the traditional rulers said they have a candidate, a candidate they think can emerge and work with the people in the grassroot, it is okay.

“But for me I have not declared my intention, but if my traditional rulers are calling me to come, wait until when I come.” he said.

Meanwhile, the State APC chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha, said the Speaker’s visit was a good gesture from a good party man to familiarize with the party.

“He has visited, and that is the right thing, obviously he is supposed to visit and then know how we are faring.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with his coming to know how the party is faring, especially at this time.” Emegha said

Emegha added: “there’s absolutely nothing wrong if the speaker decides to run for the governorship position,” because everyone has the right to aspire.

It would be recall that Some traditional rulers of Izzi clan on Monday 4th April, endorsed Nwifuru for the governorship position in the State comes 2023, which has gained numerous criticisms as well as supports from various quarters of Ebonyi North Senatorial District.

Recall also that the three Executive Chairmen of Ebonyi North including Abakaliki, Izzi and Ebonyi Local Government Council, as well as, Commissioners from Izhi clan have also publicly endorsed the speaker as the sole candidate of Izhi people for the 2023 gubernatorial election.