Tag: Nwifuru

  • Alleged fraud: Ebonyi SSG innocent until proven guilty – Nwifuru

    Alleged fraud: Ebonyi SSG innocent until proven guilty – Nwifuru

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru says he will not take action on the funds diversion allegation against the Secretary to the State Government, Prof . Grace Umezuriike  until investigations are concluded.

    Nwifuru said on Sunday during a service at Government House Chapel, Abakaliki,  noting that the government was on top of the case.

    The governor asserted that Umezuriike was still presumed innocent until investigations into the matter proved otherwise.

    “I received the news of a publication which is already before the Federal High Court Uyo, Akwa Ibom about our secretary to the state government.

    ” I am a lawyer and know that it is imperative to establish the facts before judgment .

    “This is to avoid setting wrong precedents.,” he said.

    Nwifuru said he has taken critical appraisal of some of his appointees’ performances in office.

    “I am dissatisfied with the failure of some appointees to deliver on their mandates

    ” We are worried that the vision statement contained in our people’s charter of needs mantra has not been satisfactorily realised,” he said.

    He said the development accounted for the minor reshuffle he recently effected on his cabinet.

    “Our mission and vision are explicit and that was why the people voted for us .

    “We are still assessing the appointees and shall do the needful if the need arises .

    “I am ready to relieve non- performers of their jobs when the grace period given them elapses without commensurate performances,” he said.

    The governor appealed to leaders of the state to disregard social media critics and invest in the state.

    “We assure of a conducive environment for your businesses to thrive,” he said.

    The Officiating Priest, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Agwu, urged the congregation to be true servants of God in order to make the society better.

    “A true servant of God should be filled with perseverance, humility and the spirit of paying attention to others.

    “Christians should do what is right in God’s sight irrespective of pressure or persecution from people around them,” he said.

  • We did not arrest any commissioner over project delay – Ebonyi Govt.

    We did not arrest any commissioner over project delay – Ebonyi Govt.

    The Ebonyi Government has dismissed a report that Gov. Francis Nwifuru ordered the arrest of five Commissioners over delay in delivery and breach of contracts.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Ebonyi Executive Council (EXCO) committee on Supervision and Completion of two state housing projects, Chief Donatus Ilang in Abakaliki.

    The projects are the 140 housing units for the Izzo and Amaze communities, which were displaced by the Ezilo/Ezza Ezilo communal crisis in Ishielu Local Government Area.

    Ilang, who is also the Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, described the report as “false and unfounded”.

    “No commissioner was arrested and you can confirm this from the police and other security agencies.

    “The people writing such fake news are doing so from their imagination,” he said.

    “We informed them of the state governor ‘s displeasure over delays in the project and resolved to take drastic actions on the defaulters,” he said.

    He noted that the commissioners promised to furnish the committee with relevant information which would enable it confront the erring contractors.

    “The governor is desirous to give the people of both communities. affected by a fatricidal communal conflict, housing reprieves.

    “”We gave all persons involved in the projects time to comply with the contractual terms.

    “Our mandate is to ensure that the governor’s noble intentions towards people of both communities, are actualised and we would not toy with such,” he said.

    NAN reports that the 140 units of building projects, were initiated by the state government to cushion the housing needs of both communities.

    The Ebonyi Police Command  Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP   Joshua Ukandu,  also told NAN in an interview that no commissioner was in their  custody.

    “We did not arrest any commissioner,” he said.

  • Nwifuru denies involvement in arrest of ex-Ohanaeze youth president

    Nwifuru denies involvement in arrest of ex-Ohanaeze youth president

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, on Tuesday denied involvement in the arrest of the former Youth President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, Mr Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka.

    NAN recall that the police announced the arrest of Igboayaka on Feb.10 based on a petition written against him by undisclosed persons.

    The command disclosed that Igboayaka was accused of disseminating information capable of truncating peace in communities in the state.

    The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Monday Uzor, in a statement, said that social media speculations that his principal ordered the arrest, was false.

    Uzor said that the governor, who is the chief security officer of the state, remained committed to uphold justice and ensure peace.

    “Nwifuru remains committed to protect the rights of all Ebonyi people.

    “The governor’s role is to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard lives and properties and not to interfere in law enforcement procedures.

    “Any arrest or investigation by the Nigerian Police is purely within the jurisdiction of the security agencies, independent of any influence from the governor,” the statement read.

    The CPS, while urging the public to disregard reports of the governor’s link to the arrest, however, commended security agencies for Igboayaka’s timely arrest.

    “Igboayaka claimed responsibility for the attacks in Amegu, Nkalaha in Ishielu Local Government, which has attracted local and international attention.

    “He should provide intelligence that would end killings and other communal skirmishes in future.

    “The social media purveyors should be aware that Igboayaka not only claimed to be responsible for the attacks but knew when it was conceived and hatched,” the statement read.

    He noted that intelligence reports at the government’s disposal does not show that Igboayaka works with the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) or Department of State Services (DSS).

  • Ebonyi gov, Nwifuru suspends two commissioners

    Ebonyi gov, Nwifuru suspends two commissioners

    Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi suspended the commissioners for Housing and Urban Development and that of Health over alleged gross misconduct and dereliction of duties.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Jude Okpor disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday.

    Okpor announced that Nwifuru had directed that the suspension for the Commissioner for Health would elapsed in three months, while that of Housing and Urban Development remained suspended indefinitely.

    According to Okpor, also to proceed on a three-month suspension is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health.

    “Others are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primarily Healthcare Development Agency and that of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency.

    “In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended Commissioner.

    “The suspended government officials are to hand over all government properties in their possession, including vehicles, to Secretary to the State Government on or before the close of work on November 25, 2024,” he added.

    Okpor added that in preparation for the 2025 fiscal year, the Executive Council had commenced ministerial debates and defence for the MDAs.

    “To this effect, the Council further approved the citizens budget participatory engagement, which will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, by 10:00am,” he said.

  • Deliver or be prosecuted – Ebonyi gov, Nwifuru threatens commissioner

    Deliver or be prosecuted – Ebonyi gov, Nwifuru threatens commissioner

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has threatened to arrest the state’s Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Francis Ori, over poor performances of contractors handling the Amaeze housing scheme.

    Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy,, Mrs Patricia Obila, made the threat while inspecting the 70-apartment project in Ishielu Local Government Area as part of activities to mark the state’s 28th anniversary.

    The governor said that decisive actions would be taken to ensure the project was completed within the stipulated period.

    “All these you said about the contractors are excuses and would not be accepted by the government.

    “The contractors involved in this delay must be arrested within three days starting from this night.

    “The right things must be done because our people are waiting for us to deliver,” he said.

    He observed that the site’s environment did not radiate life in spite o the huge funds sunk into it.

    “When these contractors were looking for the jobs, they were running after us and promising to deliver.

    “They are presently nowhere to be found and the same people will go to the social media to talk about the government.

    “This is one of the projects we intend that President Bola Tinubu will inaugurate when he visits Ebonyi later in the year,” he said.

    Nwifuru, however, commended the spate of work at the housing project in Izzo community but urged the commissioner to ensure the cleanliness of its environment.

    Ori told newsmen that he was not afraid to be arrested as he was a public servant.

    “The governor’s statement is in order as we are already in the process of arresting the contractors who are delaying the project.

    “We have written to the state Commissioner of Police over the issue as the contractors have no reason to delay the project.

    “I am not aware of any commissioner being awarded the project as the Amaeze people know those handling the project,” he said.

    Chief Ben Okah, a Former Commissioner for Public Utilities, and stakeholder of the area, said the project had ameliorated the sufferings of the people.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that project was awarded by the government to ease the housing challenges of the Izzo and Amaeze communities hitherto affected by the Ezza–Ezillo conflict.

    Nwifuru had earlier issued a Sept. 25 deadline to contractors handling various projects across the state to complete them or face prosecution.

  • BREAKING! Tribunal flushes out APGA’s petition against, Ebonyi Gov, Nwifuru

    BREAKING! Tribunal flushes out APGA’s petition against, Ebonyi Gov, Nwifuru

    The Ebonyi Election Petitions Tribunal has flushed out the petition filed by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and its governorship candidate, Bernard Odoh against the election of Governor Francis Nwifuru.

    The court ruled that all the requests made by the applicants were pre-election issues and consequently proceeded to dismiss them.

    The Judgement on the second petition brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ifeanyi Odii against Nwifuru who was the candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the election is ongoing.

    Details shortly…

  • Nwifuru condemns forceful ejection of residents of govt quarters

    Nwifuru condemns forceful ejection of residents of govt quarters

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, has condemned the activities of some persons who forcefully ejected occupants of government residential quarters in Abakaliki.

    Nwifuru, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, said that the activities of such persons have come to his notice.

    The governor, in the statement, announced that he did not give any ejection order.

    “The people involved in this act of intimidation are hereby warned to desist or face the wrath of the law.

    “Security agents are directed to arrest and prosecute any person or groups attempting to eject occupants of government quarters,” the statement read.

    The statement indicated that the public and occupants of government quarters will be informed when such a directive becomes necessary.

  • INEC declares Nwifuru of APC as Ebonyi governor-elect

    INEC declares Nwifuru of APC as Ebonyi governor-elect

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abakaliki on Monday, declared APC’s governorship candidate, Mr Francis Nwifuru as winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

    The INEC’s State Collation Officer, Prof. Charles Igwe, Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsuka (UNN) declared Nwifuru as the winner having satisfied the electoral act.

    Igwe said that Nwifuru polled 199, 131 votes to win the poll.

    According to him, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of the APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected by the Returning Officer.

    He said that the Prof. Bernard Odoh of APGA, polled  52,189 to emerge second, while Dr Ifeanyi Odii of the PDP, polled 80,191 votes.

    He said that the total number of accredited votes was 350,345, out of the 1,597,646 registered votes in the state.

    He added that the total votes cast was 349,941, valid vote, 342,554, while the rejected votes stood at 7,387.

    The governor-elect won in 10 out of the 13 Local Government Areas of the state, while the APGA candidate won in two LGAs and the PDP candidate one.

    Nwifuru would be the fourth executive governor of the 27 year-old state.