Polls: 10, 000 EBSHIA beneficiaries tip Nwifuru as sole guber candidate 

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

No fewer than ten thousand benefiticaries of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, EBSHIA, have ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general election tipped governor Francis Nwifuru as sole guber candidate in the state.

The beneficiaries said the reason for the endorsement was based on the numerous achievements of the governor, Francis Nwifuru, especially in the area of health sector, and human capital development.

They vowed that the governor, Nwifuru must be returned for the second term in office to enable him complete all the numerous ongoing infrastructures in the state.

The Nations News reports that the ten thousand benefiticaries, equally staged a road walk from Ecumenical centre to Pa’ Ngele Oruta township stadium to demonstrate their total support and solidarity to the governor’s administration.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Divine Igwe, while addressing the mammoth turnout at the Pa’ Ngele Oruta township stadium, said “We have not gathered because we were compelled to do so. 

“We are here because gratitude demands expression. We are here because good leadership deserves appreciation. We are here because a compassionate government deserves our collective endorsement.

“On behalf of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA), our accredited healthcare providers, our development partners, and over 137,133 beneficiaries of the Scheme, I proudly stand before you to declare that the governor, Francis Nwifuru, has performed exceptionally well and therefore deserves a second term as the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State.

“Since assuming office, the governor has transformed the healthcare landscape of our dear State through unprecedented investments in Universal Health Coverage, making quality healthcare more affordable and accessible to our people than ever before.

Igwe further enumerated the governor’s achievements to include; “EBSHIA enrolment has increased by over 429%.

– More than 137,133 Ebonyians are now protected by health insurance.

“Our beneficiaries have recorded over 394,387 hospital visits.

– More than 478,607 healthcare services have been provided without the devastating financial burden that once kept families away from hospitals.

“It is worthy of note that 31,051 pregnant women have been enrolled into the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme through the support and commitment of His Excellency.

“As I speak today, over 28,000 of these women have safely delivered their babies completely free of charge under the Scheme.

“This means that because of the compassion and visionary leadership of Governor Francis Nwifuru, more than 28,000 babies are alive today, and thousands of mothers returned home safely after childbirth without paying the enormous costs of maternity care.

“we shall continue to work tirelessly to expand health insurance coverage until every household in Ebonyi State enjoys quality healthcare without financial hardship.

“We remain committed to achieving the EBSHIA 2030 Vision, ensuring that no Ebonyian is left behind.

“Finally, on behalf of the entire EBSHIA family and all our beneficiaries across the 171 wards of Ebonyi State, I proudly and wholeheartedly declare our total support and endorsement of the governor Francis Nwifuru, for a second term in office” he stated.

The governor, Francis Nwifuru who was represented by the state chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Stanley Emegha, applauded the EBSHIA beneficiaries for coming out em mass to adopt him for the second term and vowed to do more if elected in the forthcoming general election.