By Amuche Agbo, Abakaliki
The Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and a front line aspirant of Governorship position under the platform of the All Progressives Congress,APC, in Ebonyi State , Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has presented his governorship nomination/interest form to the Izhi Nnodo Traditional fathers, Onwa Oferekpe Foundation, Stakeholders of Izhi Clan among others amidst jubilation.
The speaker made the presentation during the solidarity visits of Onwa Oferekpe Foundation cum the inauguration of its ward executives at the speakers lodge Abakaliki, the State capital.
The gubernatorial aspirant who applauded the Izhi People and the entire Ebonyians for their unalloyed support and solidarity in making sure that he succeeded Governor Umahi come 2023, lauded the exemplary leadership of the State Governor, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi and appreciated the Governor for endorsing him as the consensus candidate of APC in the guber race.
Chief Nwifuru who is the grand patron of the foundation, assured that he would not disappoint Ebonyians if they allow him to serve as the Chief Servant of the state.
The Governorship hopeful expressed surprise that the Onwa Oferekpe Foundation which started as a charitable organization has today grown so vast like an empire, having its members in all the 13 local government areas of the state.
However, he extolled the national president of the Foundation and other functionaries for their commitments in piloting the affairs of the foundation, adding that the organization would remain the apex of his campaign organization.
He also used the opportunity to respond to the allegation that he would attack the properties belonging to Senator Julius Ali Ucha, stressing that he still respects Ucha as APC Chieftain in the state and his senior colleague in the legislation business, and as such, has never thought of attacking either himself or his properties anywhere in the state.
Speaking during the event, the National President of the foundation, Hon. Kenneth Nwovu, who officiated the inaugural ceremony of both the men and the women wings of the foundation, charged all the newly inaugurated executives to sustain the tempo in their respective wards, by making sure that all hands are on deck to achieve the noble goal of returning their Grand Patron as the next governor of Ebonyi State.
In their separate speeches, the chairman of Izhi Nnodo Traditional leaders, Eze Fidelis Nwonumara, the President of Oha Izhi Nnodo Eze Sunday Oketa, the Traditional ruler of Igbeagu Autonomous Community Eze Ogbonnaya Ukwa among other speakers, all affirmed the support of the traditional institution and indeed the entire Izzi people to enable Chief Nwifuru actualize his political dream.
The people who was visibly happy, described the Speaker as detribalized politician who understand the problem of the people and assured him their loyalty and support so as to achieve his objectives.
It could be recalled that Governor Umahi who is also the leader of APC in the state has in recent times after the submission of the recommendations of the APC state zoning committee, endorsed the candidature of Chief Francis Nwifuru as the sole candidate for the position of the number one seat in Ebonyi State.
The solidarity visit saw the presence of the political class from different parts of the state, the traditional rulers of the Izhi Nnodo clan, the members of the Onwa Oferekpe Foundation and other supporters from different groups.
