2027: Ezza youths assembly tip Nwifuru as sole candidate, disown Anyichuk’s endorsement

 By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

Ezza Ezekuna Youths Assembly that hail from forty one communities and five local government areas of Ebonyi State have tipped governor Francis Nwifuru as the sole governorship candidate come 2027 general election.

The youths, equally disowned the purported backing of the PDP governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii by unknown youths in Isu, Onicha local government area. 

The endorsement of governor Francis Nwifuru by the Ezza youths general Assembly was made known during in a meeting of over one thousand youths comprising leaders of various Town Union presidents among others, held at the Ezekuna ancestral home, Onueke Ezza South LGA.

Speaking after the meeting, the National President of the Assembly, Jeff Ogbu, said the gathering reviewed the political fortunes of the Ezza people and resolved that supporting the incumbent governor was in the best interest of the clan.

According to him, the decision followed extensive consultations with elders, youths and stakeholders.

 “After exhaustive discussions, we unanimously agreed that at this point we have to support the government of Governor Francis Nwifuru. 

He has demonstrated love for Ezza people and has addressed many of our longstanding challenges,” Ogbu said.

He commended the governor for restoring peace in troubled Ezza communities, resolving boundary disputes and implementing development projects in affected areas. 

“Peace is the foundation of development. Governor Nwifuru promised us peace and he has fulfilled that promise. 

“We can only reciprocate that through our votes in 2027,” he stated.

Ogbu declared that the Assembly had adopted Nwifuru as the sole governorship candidate of Ezza people for the next election. 

“Our position is that Governor Francis Nwifuru is our sole candidate for the office of governor in 2027. 

We will take this message to all our communities because we believe supporting him is in the best interest of Ezza people,” he added.

The youth leader also urged members to disregard statements from individuals or groups claiming to speak on behalf of Ezza youths. 

“There is no other recognised Ezza youth body apart from this Assembly. Any other person or group making political endorsements in the name of Ezza youths should be disregarded,” he said.

Also addressing the gathering, elder statesman Chief Ogodo Ali (Imoha) and chairman Ezza North local government area said the Ezza people had resolved to remain aligned with the administration of Governor Nwifuru, citing his commitment to peace, equity and development.

He argued that the governor deserved a second term in line with the state’s rotational arrangement. “Governor Nwifuru has shown that he belongs to the entire Ebonyi State. 

He believes in peace, equity and development. This is the time to support his second tenure,” Ali said.

Reacting to reports that another group had endorsed PDP governorship aspirant Ifeanyi Odii, Ali dismissed the endorsement as unauthorised. 

“We don’t know those people. When Ezza people gather to take a position, they gather here. Anybody can claim to be Ezza, but that does not mean they represent Ezza people,” he said.

Similarly, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, described the meeting as the official gathering of the Ezza Ezekuna Youth Assembly and insisted that it remained the only recognised youth organisation representing Ezza people.

 “What the youths have done today is to endorse Governor Francis Nwifuru as the sole candidate of Ezza people for 2027.

We have heard of some people somewhere claiming to have endorsed another candidate, but we do not know them. We do not have two youth organisations in Ezza land,” Omebeh said.

He said the endorsement was a demonstration of appreciation for what he described as the governor’s efforts in restoring peace and driving development across Ezza communities.

 “Ezza people are prepared to demonstrate this appreciation by giving Governor Nwifuru and all APC candidates overwhelming support in the 2027 elections,” the commissioner added.