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Tag: Francis Nwifuru

  • Senatorial bye-election: I am leading APC victory fight – Gov. Nwifuru

    Senatorial bye-election: I am leading APC victory fight – Gov. Nwifuru

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, says he is leading the fight towards the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory in the Feb. 3 Ebonyi South senatorial district’s bye election.

    The seat became vacant after its erstwhile occupant, Chief David Umahi, resigned to assume office as the Minister of Works.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared the seat, among others, vacant and the Independent National Electoral Commission fixed elections into such seats for Feb. 3, 2024.

    Nwifuru made the declaration on Tuesday at Afikpo Local Government Area (LGA) during the council’s rally for the election.

    The governor, who hails from Ebonyi north senatorial district, said that he was not entertaining any fear over the eventual outcome of the election.

    “The task is not too difficult as far as I am concerned, so tell our opponents that we are ready to match all their efforts.

    “To our candidate, Prof. Anthony Ani, your victory is sacrosanct because God has ordained you.

    “You were not a politician until recently. You were never in the race and even I, who made you my candidate, never thought about you,” he said.

    He urged Afikpo people and the entire citizens of the district to massively support the APC candidate and ensure his ultimate victory at the polls.

    “He has no political structure except us and we urge him to remember those who worked for his success when he gets to the senate.

    “Any LGA development centre coordinator who delivers his area magnificently will definitely get any position he wants from us,” he said.

    Mrs Patricia Obila, the state Deputy Governor, who hails from the council, thanked the governor for his presence, noting that the stakeholders will deliver the APC candidate.

    She thanked the governor for his support to her and pledged to reciprocate the gesture through the party’s overwhelming victory at the poll.

    Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, state Chairman of the APC, assured the governor that the electorate has been mobilised to ensure total victory for the party.

    Okoro-Emegha, who also hails from the district, said that selecting the party’s candidate from Onicha LGA shows the party’s penchant for equity and justice.

    Stakeholders from the council gave their goodwill messages while the governor received hundreds of defectors into the party.

    The other councils in the district, apart from Afikpo, include Edda, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo.

  • Gov Nwifuru reacts over Supreme Court victory

    Gov Nwifuru reacts over Supreme Court victory

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has pledged to remain magnanimous in victory and in his resolve to carry everybody along irrespective of party affiliations.

    He, therefore, called on his political opponents to join hands with him in his administration’s drive to build a more virile and prosperous state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Dr Monday Uzor, his Chief Secretary on Friday in Abakaliki, while reacting to his victory at the Supreme Court, saying that his administration was now more focused on delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

    He added that the judgement of the Supreme Court which upheld his election has made equity, justice and fairness prevail in the state.

    “Today is a historic day in our dear state. It is a day when light overtook darkness. It is a day we are victorious that the Supreme Court judgement that finally upheld the populist mandate freely given to us by you.

    “The judgement which was delivered by the erudite judges has finally nailed the protracted legal battle challenging the sincerity of purpose; the courage of conviction, equity, fairness and justice —the fulcrum that our coming to power hinged.

    “It is a win for all of us who vehemently opposed the mercantilist politics that nearly marred our shared vision as a people; and so, I congratulate you.

    “The People’s Charter of Needs which integrates the urgent needs of our people would have been truncated if not for your fervency in supplications to God Almighty for the judiciary to defend democratic ethos.

    “The judgment calls for not only jubilation but also celebration because it has brought to an end an attempt to truncate the wishes of the people.

    “As we have survived their legal onslaughts, we are now more than conquerors, with a renewed vigour to deliver the mandate you freely gave.

    “We are convinced that never again shall division against our shared norms and common ancestry rear its ugly head,” the governor said.

    He commended the nation’s judiciary for their sincerity and unbiased stance in the dispensation of justice; the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation, for galvanising support that led to his victory at the poll.

  • Ebonyi to return mission schools to owners

    Ebonyi to return mission schools to owners

    Ebonyi will return all mission schools to their original owners by December, Gov. Francis Nwifuru promised in Abakaliki on Sunday.

    Nwifuru made the promise during a pastoral visit to him by Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Peter Nworie.

    The governor acknowledged that the Catholic Church and others were tactical in improving quality of education in the state.

    He directed the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to begin the process of the return of the schools to the Missions.

    “We are badly challenged in the area of education.

    “We have agreed at a cabinet meeting to send 100 First Class and 2nd Class Upper Division graduates to countries of their choice to further their education.

    “We will also sponsor 300 persons to study for their Masters degrees in Nigeria’s institutions of higher learning of their choice.

    “We won’t hesitate if the Catholic Church or other Missions are ready to take back their schools that were taken over  by government,’’ the governor said.

    He earlier commended the bishop for the visit and for blessing the congregation of the Government House chapel.

    Nwifuru assured of his readiness to carry churches along in his administration.

    Earlier, Most Rev. Nworie said the Church was ready to work with government to enhance teaching and learning in Ebonyi.

    “Those schools were forcefully taken away from us after the civil war. The governor knows our feelings about this,’’ he said.

    The cleric also expressed readiness of the Church under his leadership to support the governor to achieve his goals for the state.

    He appreciated Nwifuru for the positive steps so far taken by his administration.

    He also called on cabinet members of government to give their full support to the governor.

    “If there is failure in your area there is a failure in the whole government because the success of any member of the cabinet is the success of the governor and that of the whole government.

    “Today’s reading is an invitation for all members of the current government to assist the governor to achieve his goals for the state,’’ Nworie noted.

  • Nothing will make me quarrel with Gov. Nwifuru – Umahi

    Nothing will make me quarrel with Gov. Nwifuru – Umahi

    The Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, has said that nothing will make him quarrel with his successor, Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, whom he described as ‘a worthy son’.

    There are insinuations in the political circles that Umahi’s ‘boys’ who fought assiduously for Nwifuru’s enthronement had been marginalised.

    Umahi made the declaration on Wednesday in Abakaliki during a reception organised by Nwifuru in honour of former political office holders in the state.

    The minister said that he had no regrets standing, fighting and risking his life in ensuring that Nwifuru became the state governor.

    “I have no regrets knowing and trusting him for 16 years as only few persons present can boast of relationships that last for such periods.

    “The most beautiful thing is that Nwifuru knows everything we did as there was nothing such as projects that did not pass through him,” he said.

    The former Senate Deputy Majority Leader said that he sowed heavily in Ebonyi and in Nwifuru and will therefore reap from them.

    “Any one who prays not to reap where he sows should keep such prayer,” the minister said.

    He noted that he would not put any form of pressure on Gov. Nwifuru as he did not forget anything in Ebonyi Government House.

    “I will not apologise to those who feel offended by my actions again because I have done so while leaving office.

    “All my mistakes and successes have been inherited by Nwifuru as we made friends and enemies together.

    “I urge everyone to be patient with the governor because he has good intentions to develop the state,” he said.

    Gov. Nwifuru, who was the Speaker of the state House of Assembly during Umahi’s reign as governor, thanked him and former political appointees for honouring the reception.

    “Umahi is my father, boss and mentor as words cannot describe what he has done for me in life,” he said.
    Nwifuru called on Ebonyi people to be patient with his government.

    “We have completed the policies of the past administration and will concentrate more on human empowerment,” he said.
    Former executive council members, principal officers of government, state House of Assembly members, among other political office holders, graced the occasion.

  • Ebonyi governor freezes all government bank accounts

    Ebonyi governor freezes all government bank accounts

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has directed the freezing of all state government accounts domiciled in various banks from Tuesday, May 30.

    The directive was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s newly appointed Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor and made available to newsmen.

    Nwifuru in the statement directed the managers of banks which operate  government accounts to immediately comply to the  directive.

    “No payment should be made from any government account till further notice,” the statement read.

  • Ebonyi Gov, Umahi boasts after ‘enthroning’ successor

    Ebonyi Gov, Umahi boasts after ‘enthroning’ successor

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has boasted that he was a man with excess grace from God which enabled him win a senatorial seat and enthroned a successor as governor.

    Umahi made the assertion on Monday night during a thanksgiving session he organised for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Chief Francis Nwifuru, in the March 18 governorship poll.

    The governor said that no conspiracy could overcome him as people, out of jealousy, made efforts to stop him from being elected as a senator and enthroning his successor.

    “You know how governors are currently struggling to be re-elected, enthrone successors and to be elected Senators.

    “We are three governors in the south east for instance who sought to enthrone successors but only one (me) succeeded.

    “Only two governors were elected into the senate and despite all apprehensions, the APC performed marvelously in the south east zone,” he said.

    He said that he would not mount pressure on Nwifuru or try influencing his government.

    “At this time on May 29, I will bow to him and say: ‘my boss I salute you’.

    “He is my son and if he finds anything difficult, he will consult me and I will be there for him.

    “When Nwifuru was nominated, I prayed to God that I don’t want my enemy to succeed me but him (Nwifuru),” he said.

    He thanked Ebonyi people for supporting Nwifuru and other APC candidates as they would deliver on the mandates given them.

    “I urge the governor-elect to enshrine a reward system to appreciate all those who worked assiduously to ensure his success,” he said.

    The governor-elect Nwifuru who was the Speaker of the state House if Assembly before the polls, dedicated the victory to God and Ebonyi people who found him worthy to serve.

    “I specially thank our father and leader of the party, Gov. Umahi, and assure him that I will be a worthy successor.

    “I promise to fulfill my campaign promises and urge my fellow contestants to join me in making Ebonyi, the envy of other states of the federation,” he said.

    Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the state APC chairman, thanked party faithful for working tenaciously towards the victories recorded during the elections.

  • Just In: Ebonyi APC guber candidate, Nwifuru, 3 others survive ghastly auto crash

    Just In: Ebonyi APC guber candidate, Nwifuru, 3 others survive ghastly auto crash

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru narrowly escaped death on Friday after a truck plowed into his convoy when they were leaving a campaign rally in the Uburu town of the state’s Ohaozara LGA.

    The terrifying accident happened in the Amagu hamlet, before Timber Shade Abakaliki, destroying the armored car conveying the APC candidate for governor.

    The state APC chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha; Ambassador Frank Nchita Ogbuewu, a former minister of culture and tourism, and the driver of the candidate for governor whose name has not yet been identified were involved in the accident.

    The younger brother of Governor David Umahi and Director-General of the APC campaign, Austin Umahi, told newsmen shortly after the incident that Nwifiru’s survival was an act of God.

    According to him, yes, there was an accident but the act of God was mightily demonstrated, in the sense that we came on the divine mandate. This accident would have been avoided, but unfortunately, we don’t know whether the truck driver was drunk or not.

    “I personally narrowly escaped the accident and the next car was our gubernatorial candidate, Nwifuru. The truck driver just crossed the road and the next thing was to put them inside the bush. It is unfortunate but we thank God for everything because our candidate survived.

    “Both the driver and two other occupants; the state chairman of our party, Stanley Okoro Emegha and the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Frank Nchita Ogbuewu are in good condition,” he stated.

  • 2023: Governor Umahi names successor

    2023: Governor Umahi names successor

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has endorsed the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Francis Nwifuru as his successor.

    The endorsement was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Francis Nwaze and made available to newsmen on Saturday.

    Umahi according to the statement, made the endorsement during the burial of the father to the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mrs Chioma Nweze at Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

    “The governor assured that the speaker will consolidate on the divine mandate leadership in the state.

    “He appealed to the people of Ebonyi south senatorial zone and all Ebonyi people to support the candidacy of the speaker for the sake of equity, justice, and fairness,” the statement read.

    The statement indicated that the governor presented the speaker to Okposi people reminding them that the those of Ebonyi north zone offered their support when the southern zone sought such to produce the governor in 2015.

    “The governor implored that it was time to pay back

    and promised that the divine mandate platform upon which the government came into office will continue.

    “He urged the people not to fear as there was no one annointed by God that is not criticised by people.

    “2023 elections will be based on ticking the ballot boxes and not about promises.

    “It is a fact that my performance in office and that of others would be used by the APC for campaigns.

    “The next president of the country should come from the south for equity, justice, and fairness.

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should offer explanations to the people if they fail to allot the position to the south east zone,” the statement read.

    The statement also indicated that the governor reacted to the recent outbursts of Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on him and challenged the latter to a debate.

    “We both want to be president so the debate will enable people assess the deployment of our intellectual properties,” the statement read.

  • Confusion as Ebonyi Assembly elects new deputy speaker while former denies resignation

    Confusion as Ebonyi Assembly elects new deputy speaker while former denies resignation

    Controversy stirred on Monday at the Ebonyi House of Assembly as 15 of the 24-member assembly, elected a new deputy speaker after the purported resignation of the substantive one.

    Chief Francis Nwifuru, Speaker of the House read a letter purportedly written by Chief Obasi Odefa, Deputy Speaker of the House indicating that he (Odefa) had resigned his position as a House member and subsequently, the Deputy Speaker.

    Nwifuru quoted Odefa as writing that after due consultations with his family, selected stakeholders and political associates, the resignation would give him time to pursue other engagements.

    Mr Onu Nwonye (APC-Ohaozara West) moved a motion for Odefa’s replacement and subsequently nominated Mr Kingsley Ikoro (Afikpo North-West) to replace him.

    Mr Anthony Nwegede (APC–Izzi East) seconded the motion for Ikoro’s election into the position as the members overwhelmingly voted for his election.

    Nwifuru congratulated Ikoro and urged him to discharge his duties equitably.

    “It gives me joy that Ikoro has assumed this position because when I was the Deputy whip of the House in 2011, he was the Chief Whip.

    “The House is united and once you discharge your duties to the people whatever anyone says will not affect you,” he said.

    Odefa, in a swift reaction, while briefing newsmen in the company of other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House, denied ever resigning his House membership or writing any letter to that effect.

    “The whole scenario is the desperate ambition of some people who felt uncomfortable that I refused to defect to the APC with them.

    “The question is why should I resign my membership of the House of Assembly when those people are not my constituents who elected me into office,” he said.

    He swore never to had defected to the APC, insisting that he never attended any meeting, rally or other form of gathering convened by the party.

    “I will use all legal means to seek redress on the issue and since I affirmed my membership of the PDP, I have received all forms of threats even on my family members,” he said.

    Mr Oliver Osi (PDP-Ivo) also used the ocassion to deny ever defecting from the PDP to the APC, noting that he had no reason to leave his party.

    Recall that political tension heightened in the state since Feb.19 when Odefa affirmed his PDP membership and raised alarm over planned impeachment on him in the House.