The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Francis Ori, has expressed strong confidence that Governor Francis Nwifuru will secure a landslide victory in the 2027 general elections, citing peace, unity, and the absence of a formidable opposition in the state.
Ori made this assertion while speaking on the recent endorsement of Governor Nwifuru and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by youths of Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to the commissioner, the endorsement followed an unprecedented unity among Uburu youths, who set aside long-standing divisions to speak with one voice in support of the current administration at both state and federal levels.
He explained that Uburu, the hometown of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, is made up of four autonomous communities whose youths previously operated under different platforms.
However, driven by shared interests and appreciation of Governor Nwifuru’s leadership style, the various youth groups resolved their differences and merged into a single body known as the Uburu Youth Front.
Ori described the development as historic, noting that it marked a turning point in youth participation and political stability in the area.
“The governor is one of us. He has treated Uburu youths as his own, giving them a sense of belonging in governance. The only way we could appreciate him was to come together and speak with one voice,” he said.
The commissioner attributed the youths’ support to Governor Nwifuru’s inclusive and youth-friendly policies, which he said have resulted in the appointment of several Uburu indigenes as commissioners, senior special assistants, special advisers, and board members in the state government.
He disclosed that the unity among the youths culminated in a solidarity road work exercise and a formal endorsement of Governor Nwifuru for a second term in office.
Ori added that the youths also resolved to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election, expressing gratitude for the president’s decision to appoint Senator David Umahi as Minister for Works.
According to him, Umahi, under President Tinubu’s leadership, has facilitated massive infrastructural development in Ebonyi State and the entire Southeast region.
“We are a grateful people. The only way to show our appreciation to the president is to give him our votes,” Ori stated.
On the political outlook ahead of 2027, the commissioner dismissed concerns about opposition strength in Ebonyi, insisting that the prevailing peace and unity across communities give Governor Nwifuru a clear advantage.
“This is the first time Ebonyi State is enjoying this level of peace. The governor has united stakeholders and communities across the state. There is no room for divisive politics again,” he said.
Beyond politics, Ori highlighted humanitarian interventions carried out through his Orimatic Care Foundation, established in 2017.
He revealed that the foundation recently organized a large-scale Christmas celebration for vulnerable widows across the four autonomous communities in Uburu.
He said over 600 widows benefited from the initiative, receiving rice, wrappers, cash gifts, and other relief materials.
“To ensure transparency and fairness, we worked with Presidents-General of the communities, who selected 150 widows from each community based on need,” he explained.
The commissioner further disclosed that the foundation currently sponsors 36 university students, 17 of whom have graduated in professional fields such as medicine, engineering, and law as well as over 100 pupils in primary and secondary schools.
Ori reaffirmed his commitment to youth empowerment, social welfare, and community development, assuring that the coming years would witness increased investments in education, humanitarian services, and grassroots development across Ebonyi State.
