By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
The Association of Izhi Nnodo Clan of Nigeria (AICON), the apex umbrella body of Izhi people resident in Lagos and neighbouring Southwest states, has endorsed the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to embark on massive mobilisation and transfer of voter cards of Ebonyi communities across the Southwest in support of his re-election.
The association also congratulated Governor Nwifuru on his victory at the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ebonyi State, describing his emergence as a reflection of the overwhelming confidence Ebonyians repose in his administration.
In a congratulatory message jointly signed by the National President of AICON, Comrade Clement Nwego, and the National Secretary, Mr. Moses Onyibe, the group said the governor’s performance within three years in office had justified the renewed confidence and support from the people.
According to the association, Governor Nwifuru has continued to demonstrate purposeful, visionary, and people-oriented leadership through the implementation of his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda across critical sectors of the state economy.
“AICON proudly reaffirms its endorsement and total support for the re-election of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, come 2027, and we assure him of greater mobilisation of Ebonyi people resident in Lagos and other Southwest states more than what was witnessed during the 2023 general elections,” the statement read.
The group noted that the governor’s administration had recorded remarkable achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, agriculture, housing, sports development, and economic reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the state.
It particularly commended the ongoing enhancement and stabilisation of facilities at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, extensive road construction projects, urban-rural renewal initiatives, and the construction of affordable housing estates across different parts of the state.
AICON further extolled the administration’s deliberate policies targeted at tackling multiple taxation and creating an enabling environment for investors, residents, and businesses, noting that such initiatives had stimulated economic growth and strengthened public confidence in governance.
In the education sector, the association lauded the governor for advancing the ICT University, Oferekpe Agbaja, and the Aeronautics and Aerospace University, Onueke, alongside the construction of storey buildings comprising 22 classroom blocks across selected secondary schools in the 13 local government areas of the state.
The association also applauded the scholarship opportunities granted to over one thousand Ebonyi students in local and international institutions, describing the initiative as a strategic investment towards building a globally competitive and intellectually empowered generation.
On peace and security, AICON said Governor Nwifuru’s reconciliatory leadership style and deliberate interventions had substantially reduced communal tensions, strengthened unity, and restored public confidence in government across the state.
The group equally noted that traditional institutions had not been neglected under the present administration, citing the construction of palaces and 2-kilometre access roads for traditional rulers in various communities, as well as ongoing projects such as the Vanco Flyover and Tunnel and other strategic bridges and road infrastructure across the state.
