By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
In Ebonyi, the leadership of some opposition political parties including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP), among others have applauded Chief Francis Nwifuru's emergence as the fourth Executive Governor of the State.
The opposition political parties who made this known in their separate congratulatory notes implored the opponents of Nwifuru during the just concluded governorship election to accept defeat to move the state forward.
According to the Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance Ebonyi State Chapter, Chief Ricky Okorouka, the election which led to the emergence of Nwifuru as Ebonyi State Governor-elect
"was indeed a hard-fought fight but that you prevailed confirms your tenacity."
Advising Nwifuru, the State APGA Chairman, said, "as the Governor-elect, we, however, urge you to embrace all and sundry as the goal is all geared towards making Ebonyi State a better place.
"We implore you to eschew hatred, acrimony and bitterness that may be born out of opposition but see all as one, and we do hope that your gracious emergence which is divinely saddled serves as a beckon of hope, goodwill and total emancipation for every Ebonyi citizen.
"We, therefore, assure you of total support, especially that which embraces the betterment of all Ebonyians.
We do believe that your divine prevalence over others is however a depiction that your mandate is a mandate for all. Do accept the sincerity of our warm wishes."
Similarly, Prince Stanley Oyibe, the Chairman of the YPP Ebonyi State Chapter congratulated the governor-elect Nwifuru on his victory at the March 18 polls on behalf of his party members.
He observed that after the election comes governance and urged the governor-elect not to disappoint the Ebonyians who came out in mass to vote for him on the election day.
"Your Excellency, remember all the promises you made to Ebonyians and work toward uniting the state despite political affiliations.
"Your Excellency, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) Ebonyi state will support your administration in full capacity as we urge all-inclusive governance.
"Further your Excellency, the workers' welfare must not be undermined despite projects and programs of the state."
The YPP leadership also commended the effort of Governor David Umahi, which according to him, contributed to the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections in Ebonyi, urging all the opposing elements against the emergence of Speaker Nwifuru as Ebonyi Governor-elect to cease fire.
Recall that the Ebonyi State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) under the chairmanship of Godwin Jioke had congratulated Chief Francis Nwifuru over his landslide victory during the gubernatorial poll in the state.
Also, the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Tochukwu Okorie who earlier before the March 18 poll adopted the candidature of Chief Francis Nwifuru, commended his sounding victory as the Ebonyi Governor-Elect.
Meanwhile, the Governor-elect who is a two-term-serving Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chief Francis Nwifuru has expressed gratitude to the Ebonyi people and assured them of being the governor of all, throughout his stay in office.
"As Governor, I’ll work with them because they supported me. I am not going to be a Governor of one or two persons. I’ll be Governor for all because the people’s taxes that I’ll manage is for everyone. I know that managing failure is easier than managing success, but I’ll make Ebonyians proud.
"Thank you, my people," Nwifuru stated this while addressing some members of the opposition political parties in his Abakaliki residence a few days ago.
