By Victor Nwegede
In a strong show of political unity, stakeholders of the Unwuera kindred from Abakaliki, Ebonyi, and Izzi Local Government Areas on Wednesday distanced themselves from a recent publication alleging “ethnic capture” in Ebonyi State under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, describing the claim as “untrue, divisive and self-serving.”
The stakeholders, led by the Executive Chairman of Izzi LGA, Hon. Barr. Steve Emenike Nwankpa, said the controversial article authored by Mr Cajethan Njoku, former Coordinator of Ominyi Development Centre in Izzi LGA did not represent the collective position of the Unwuera people and should be retracted with an apology to the governor.
“Governor Nwifuru has given our people unprecedented opportunities in governance. The attempt to paint him as biased is both unfounded and dangerous to our unity. We reject any narrative that seeks to divide Izzi people or Ebonyi State,” Nwankpa said at a press briefing in Abakaliki.
The group praised Nwifuru as a “unifier and champion of the United Izzi Project,” noting that freedom of expression must be exercised with discretion, courtesy, and a sense of responsibility to preserve peace and harmony.
They highlighted that more Unwuera sons and daughters currently occupy strategic positions in government than at any other time in Ebonyi’s history — a feat they credited to Nwifuru’s inclusivity.
Signatories cutting across Abakaliki, Ebonyi, and Izzi LGAs include:
Dist. Sen. Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi – Senator, Ebonyi North District
Hon. Barr. Steve Emenike Nwankpa – Executive Chairman, Izzi LGA
Hon. Chief Godwin Abiri – Member, Ebonyi House of Assembly (Izzi West)
Chief Hon. Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga – Member, Ebonyi House of Assembly (Ebonyi North-East)
Dr. Chris Achi – Federal Commissioner, FPCC
Dr. Jeremiah Nwankwegu – Federal Commissioner, NPC
Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu – Chief of Staff, Government House
Dr. Moses Ekuma – Commissioner for Health
Chief Hon. Richard Idike – Commissioner for Youth and Sports
Prof. Paul Awo Nwobashi – Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution
Chief Hon. Peter Nwogbaga – SSA on Education
Chief Hon. Anthony Nwegede – SSA on Agriculture
Hon. Moses Okite Nwangbo – SSA on ICT
Chief Hon. Fred Nwogbaga – SSA on Transport
Hon. Chukwuemeka Ofoke – SA on Governor’s Office
Hon. Benjamin Ezeoma – SSA on Lands
Hon. Martins Okwuegbu – SA on IGR
Hon. Nonso Nwigum – SA on Youth Mobilization
Dr. Sabinus Nwibo – SA on Primary Health
Chief Hon. Peter Nwogbaga – SSA on Primary Education
Hon. Henry Bamida – SA on Her Excellency’s Office
Hon. Barr. Pius Nwoga – SSA on Library
Hon. Pius Nwankwo – SA on Sports
Hon. Mrs Charity Oyoh – SA on Women Mobilization
Hon. Godwin Egbata – PA to the Governor
Dr. Sylvester Awam – Secretary, Secondary Education Board
Hon. Chijioke Nwuzor – Member II, UBEB
Chief Chris Uchaji – Member I, Civil Service Commission
Rt. Hon. Barr. Augustine Nwankwegu – Chairman, Revenue Appeal Commission
Dr. Fidelis Uguru – Member/Secretary, EBSIEC
Hon. Iyke Edene – Member I, House of Assembly Commission
HRH Eze Nwojiji – Member, Judicial Service Commission
Hon. Abraham Nwedu – Member, Board of Internal Revenue
Hon. Aloy Nwibo – Member, Anti-Corruption & Public Complaints Commission
Engr. Ebenizer Ofoke – Member I, Rural Electrification Board
Prince Maurice Mbam – BOT, Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum & Entrepreneur
Hon. Dan Okwuegbu – Member, Market Development Board
Rev. Father Godwin Uguru – Chairman, Christian Pilgrimage Board
Rev. Joseph Nwibo – Member, Christian Pilgrimage Board
Hon. Patricia Nwankwegu – Provost, College of Nursing, Uburu
Mrs Rose Nwuzor – Bursar, Ebonyi State University
Dr. Nwedu Uchenna – CMAC, AE-FUTHA
Dr. Felix Edegbe – Acting Provost, College of Medicine, EBSU
Mrs Elizabeth Ogbaga – Chairman, Health Insurance Agency
Hon. Clement Ovuoba – Executive Secretary, SEMA
Dr. Ovuoba Chukwuemeka – Executive Secretary, Ebonyi State Primary Health Development Agency
Barr. Philip Oyo – Member, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic Nekede
Prof. Adline Idike – Member, Governing Council, Federal University of Education, Zaria
Mrs Ngozi Otozi – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education
Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health
Mr. Darlington Mbam – Permanent Secretary, Housing & Urban Development
Mrs Joy Mbam – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands
Dr. Kizito Nwovu – Permanent Secretary, Abuja Liaison Office
Hon. Obiya Chukwudi Pascal – Coordinator, Izzi DC
Hon. Obinna Nwedu – Coordinator, Igbeagu DC
Hon. Mrs Susan Nwogbaga – Coordinator, Ozibo DC
Hon. Frank Nwungwu – Coordinator, Mbeke DC
The stakeholders called on Governor Nwifuru to remain focused on delivering his developmental agenda and not be distracted by “petty politics.”
“We reaffirm our solidarity with His Excellency and hereby adopt him as our sole candidate for a second term in 2027. United we shall stand,” the statement concluded.
