Ebonyi APC gubernatorial candidate, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
A group known as the Turn-By-Turn Initiatives in Ebonyi State has debunked an allegation by the media that the state governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Francis Nwifuru, yesterday threatened the Ezza clan ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The National Convener of the Turn-By-Turn Initiatives in the State, Comrade Ben Nworie in a press release on Saturday said "Nwifuru didn't threaten Ezza clan."
Nworie in the release expressed dismay over what he described as a diversionary and discontinued interpretation of the concerns raised by Nwifuru yesterday during the APC rally at Onueke, the Headquarters of the Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.
The release read in full: "We have observed with dismay the diversionary and misconstrued interpretation of the concerns raised by the APC governorship candidate, Hon. Francis Nwifuru during a campaign rally at Onueke on Friday.
"It is pertinent therefore to correct the wrong impression created in some sections of the media, quoting Nwifuru to have threatened the Ezza clan that they will regret it if they didn't vote for him during the forthcoming general election.
"In the trending negative reports, the right judgment of the Governorship candidate was buried, as he meant that the expectation of the Ezza clan becoming the governor in 2031 may be jeopardized if the clan fails to support the victory of the APC in 2023.
"Nwifuru's permutation is that if the Ezza clan didn't vote for APC, it may be difficult for them to occupy the governorship after the incoming dispensation.
"Ezza clan is comfortable with the aspiration of Nwifuru as the governorship candidate of APC and he has openly said that he will accommodate the Ezza clan for the Speakership position for inclusive governance.
"We are not deterred by the negative interpretations of the genuine concerns raised by the Speaker of Ebonyi House of Assembly on how the Ezza clan should position herself to occupy the office of the governor in 2031.
"Without mincing words, it's the turn of Ebonyi North to Succeed the incumbent Governor, David Umahi, to pave for Ebonyi Central in 2031, which will possibly favour Ezza's agenda.
"Therefore, we reject all negative imputations that tend to pitch the respected Ezza clan against the governorship candidate of the APC, Nwifuru.
"We urge all Ebonyians particularly the sons and daughters of the Ezza clan to be wary of detractors or opposition elements to disregard the diversionary and poorly interpreted concerns of the future political prospects of the Ezza clan.
"Ezza people are solidly behind the aspirations of Ebonyi APC governorship candidate and we will massively vote for him without any fear of intimidation."
