The people of Oshiri community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have pledged their support for Governor Francis Nwifuru’s bid for a second term in office in the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was made during a mega rally organised by the Dr Innocent Unah Solidarity Movement for Nwifuru in Oshiri, which attracted thousands of members, supporters and All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from the community and across the local government area.
Coordinator of the movement, Hon. Godfrey Chukwu, said the people of Oshiri were grateful to Nwifuru for what he described as his inclusive approach to governance, despite the community’s voting pattern during the 2023 governorship election.
Chukwu recalled that residents of Onicha LGA did not support Nwifuru in the 2023 election, opting instead for an opposition candidate from the area.
He, however, commended the governor for putting the outcome behind him and continuing to accommodate the people of Oshiri and the entire council area in his administration.
According to him, Nwifuru facilitated the emergence of Senator Anthony Ani as the representative of Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, adding that Ani remains the APC candidate for the senatorial seat in the 2027 election.
Chukwu also said the governor had appointed several indigenes of the area into government positions and ensured that the local government benefited from state government programmes and projects.
“People of Oshiri and Onicha will remain eternally grateful to Governor Nwifuru. We will not allow another opportunity to show our appreciation to him to pass us by,” he said.
The movement’s Youth Leader, Mr Sunday Okike, said residents had resolved to back Nwifuru in appreciation of what he described as the “immense love” and attention his administration had shown the area.
Okike said the administration had embarked on significant infrastructure projects in Onicha LGA despite what he described as the relatively low level of support the governor received from the council in 2023.
He cited the rehabilitation of roads linking communities and the construction of new ones, saying the projects had improved connectivity and eased movement across the area.
He added that residents had also benefited from the state government’s empowerment programmes, while some children from the area had benefited from its overseas scholarship scheme.
The founder of the movement, Dr Innocent Unah, represented at the rally by Comrade Emmanuel Chima, said the people of the area would not repeat what he described as the mistakes of the 2023 election.
He acknowledged that the candidate from the area who contested the 2023 governorship election was contesting again but said the movement remained focused on securing victory for Nwifuru in 2027.
“Our focus is delivering Governor Nwifuru in the 2027 general elections, and nothing will distract our attention from that objective,” he said.
“The governor has treated us well despite what transpired in the past, and we want to continue to remain relevant in his second tenure in office.”
At the rally, a motion endorsing Nwifuru’s bid for a second term was moved and unanimously adopted by the gathering.
Women’s groups, traditional rulers, youth organisations and other stakeholders also pledged their support for the governor’s re-election bid.
The organisers said the rally marked a renewed commitment by their supporters in Oshiri and across Onicha LGA to mobilise for Nwifuru ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
