By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
The endorsement was announced at a well-attended gathering of stakeholders, traditional leaders, and members of the Izzi clan, yesterday at Abakaliki, where the union declared its unanimous support for the governor’s re-election bid.
The forum, which brought together political actors and community influencers across Izzi land, culminated in the issuance of a formal certificate of endorsement in favour of the incumbent.
Speaking on behalf of the union, the President-General of IDU, Chief Godwin Nwankwegu, said the decision followed a comprehensive review of the administration’s performance over the past four years. He noted that Governor Nwifuru had demonstrated “pragmatic leadership and a firm commitment to the socio-economic advancement of Ebonyi State.”
According to him, key indicators that informed the endorsement include sustained investments in education, particularly the award of scholarships to indigent but deserving students for studies both within Nigeria and abroad, as well as ongoing reforms in the state’s education sector.
The union also commended the administration’s infrastructural drive, especially in road construction and rehabilitation, which it said has significantly improved connectivity, boosted local commerce, and enhanced rural-urban integration across the state.
On public sector governance, the IDU leadership highlighted the prompt payment of salaries and the proactive implementation of an improved minimum wage structure, describing Ebonyi State under Nwifuru as “a model of fiscal responsibility and worker-friendly governance.” The settlement of long-standing pension and gratuity arrears—some spanning over two decades—was also cited as a landmark achievement that has restored dignity to retired civil servants.
The union further applauded the establishment of new tertiary institutions, including specialised universities in aeronautics, aerospace engineering, and information and communication technology, noting that such initiatives reflect a forward-looking vision aimed at positioning Ebonyi as a knowledge-driven economy.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the IDU emphasized the need for continuity in governance to consolidate ongoing projects and sustain the current development trajectory.
It maintained that Governor Nwifuru possesses the “requisite political will, administrative capacity, and developmental blueprint” to lead the state into its next phase of growth.
“The endorsement is both a recognition of proven performance and a strategic decision to ensure policy continuity,” the statement read, urging political stakeholders and the electorate across Ebonyi State to rally behind the governor’s second-term ambition.
The communiqué was jointly endorsed by key stakeholders, including Chief Emmanuel Obiya and Chief Francis Nwiyele, alongside the President-General, reinforcing what observers describe as a significant consolidation of grassroots political support within one of the state’s influential blocs.
Political analysts noted that the endorsement by the Izzi Development Union could have far-reaching implications for the 2027 governorship race, given the clan’s demographic strength and historical influence in Ebonyi’s electoral dynamics.
