By Amuche Agbo, Abakaliki.
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Dr. Mathew Nwobashi, has called on the people of Enyigba Autonomous Community and Abakaliki Local Government Area to give massive support to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections, urging them to sustain their backing to attract more dividends of democracy.
Nwobashi made the call during a Christmas/New Year celebration organised for the people of Enyigba Autonomous Community at his country home in Eketube, Enyigba, Abakaliki LGA.
He said the celebration was organised to thank God for the gift of life to him and his family, and to appreciate Governor Nwifuru for appointing him as a commissioner in his administration.
According to him, “His Excellency, my boss, has always instructed us to domesticate his People’s Charter of Needs at the grassroots, and that is exactly what I am doing today.
"I earlier celebrated with staff of my ministry, stakeholders and the entire people of Abakaliki LGA, and today I am celebrating with my community.”
He added that Enyigba community had resolved to support Governor Nwifuru’s re-election, noting that residents had already obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“Enyigba community has spoken with one voice that in 2027, it is only Governor Nwifuru they know. The community will deliver 100 per cent votes for the APC,” he said.
The commissioner assured the community of the state government’s readiness to commence construction of the Onuakpara–Ndiegu Edda Road, which he said had been captured in the 2026 budget.
He also pledged the construction of other internal community roads and the restoration of electricity supply within a short period.
As part of the celebration, Dr. Nwobashi distributed high-quality wrappers to over 40 widows, alongside undisclosed cash gifts, while pledging to continually support widows and other vulnerable persons in the community to enhance their sense of belonging.
He also donated a cow to the community, N1.5 million in cash, and N100,000 to Enyigba women in politics.
The Special Senior Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Lands and Survey, who also served as chairman of the occasion, Chief Chukwuma Sylvanus Ofoke, commended the commissioner’s generosity, describing him as a grassroots politician with genuine interest in the welfare of his people.
He urged the community to remain steadfast in its support for the Nwifuru-led administration to enjoy more dividends of democracy, praising the governor’s leadership, particularly in restoring peace to communities previously affected by crises.
“This is a time when killings have reduced drastically in Ebonyi State. This is a time without factional divisions, a time when government projects are spread across communities, including the construction of palaces for traditional rulers.
"The re-election of Governor Nwifuru in 2027 is already a done deal,” he said.
The APC Chairman in Abakaliki LGA, Hon. Paulinus Attam, also expressed appreciation to the commissioner for his philanthropic gestures and urged residents who were yet to obtain their PVCs to do so, in order to reciprocate the governor’s benevolence with their votes.
Similarly, the Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme (RAAMP) in Ebonyi State, Engr. Felix Otah, applauded Dr. Nwobashi for his leadership qualities and thanked Governor Nwifuru for appointing an Enyigba indigene as commissioner for the first time in history.
He said the community had resolved to reward the governor’s gesture with overwhelming support in 2027.
The President of the Enyigba Autonomous Community Town Union, Mr. Samuel Ogbogu, and the Chairman of the Event Planning Committee, Barr. Chijioke Collins Nweze, among others, commended Governor Nwifuru for appointing sons and daughters of the community into positions of trust, assuring him of their continued loyalty and support.
Mr. Ogbogu particularly thanked the governor for awarding foreign scholarships to two of his sons other community members, praying God to reward him abundantly.
He also appealed to the governor to assist in the construction of the Ndube Enyigba–Akapara Bridge to ease the hardship faced by residents.
Speaking on behalf of the women, a member of the Local Government Advisory Committee, Hon. Augustina Nwovu, lauded Governor Nwifuru for appointing Dr. Nwobashi into what she described as an enviable position, expressing confidence in his capacity to deliver.
She also appreciated the commissioner’s gestures and affirmed that Enyigba women were solidly behind Governor Nwifuru’s re-election bid in 2027.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs. Chika Uguru and Mrs. Nkwegu Igbali, thanked the commissioner for remembering widows in the community and prayed for his elevation to higher positions in the future.
The event featured cultural displays by various groups.
