RL: Governor Francis Nwifuru and former Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State Nigeria.
By Victor Nwegede
The immediate past Ebonyi State Governor, now Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi at weekend declared support for the re-election of Governor Francis Nwifuru for his second term in office come 2027 elections.
The Minister, on receiving the members of Izzi Nnodo Youths Forum who paid him Christmas homage at his Umunagu Uburu country home in Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi State made the declaration.
He commended the Izzi youths led by their National President, Barrister Andrew Chibueze Elom for paying him such a surprise visit during the yuletide.
He maintained that Governor Nwifuru would serve Ebonyi people for the second term in office like him and other former executive governors of the state.
"Thank you for this surprise visit, and sincerely, no doubt I expected this visit but not in this magnitude.
"Not to talk about the fact that you left your son (Governor Francis Nwifuru) to pay me a visit today that you should be at his house celebrating with him.
"Even if God forbid, your brothers or Izzi people stand against me tomorrow, the covenant I had with him (Governor Nwifuru) and God is complete uninterrupted 8 years and nothing would stop this.
"Relax, I fought principalities and powers alone and won; and you think I can't do it now that I have someone by my side.
"I have been saying it and will keep saying it, I have not seen any better option in Izzi till now. Sorry to say this! He (Governor Nwifuru) is humble and till the end of 8 years I am not leaving him. Not now!," Umahi said.
Earlier, the National President of Izzi Nnodo Youths Forum, Barrister Andrew Chibueze Elom explained that he led his members to thank Umahi for fulfilling his promise to hand over the state governorship seat to an Izzi man.
Elom pleaded with Umahi not to leave his successor, Nwifuru halfway but to guide him always to avoid going astray in his administration.
"Your Excellency, the performing Minister of Works, we are here to thank you for promising to hand over to an Izzi man and fulfilling same.
"We equally came to plead with you not to leave this project you have started half way, stand with your son, encourage him, guide him, so he do not go astray," the President pleaded.
