The Nigerian Legion, Ebonyi State Council, on Monday formally endorsed Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 governorship election, describing him as its sole candidate based on what it termed his verifiable performance in office.
The endorsement was announced during a press conference in Abakaliki by the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ebonyi State Council, Retired Corporal Okechukwu Ijeagwu, who said the decision followed extensive consultations and a comprehensive assessment of the governor's administration since assuming office.
According to Ijeagwu, the endorsement was not driven by partisan considerations but by the governor's record of achievements across critical sectors of the state's economy and governance.
He said the Legion, comprising retired military personnel, veterans, and widows of fallen heroes from the 13 local government areas of the state, was guided by the principles of patriotism, discipline, justice, integrity and selfless service in arriving at its decision.
The Legion chairman commended Governor Nwifuru for restoring peace to communities previously affected by communal and boundary conflicts, particularly in Effium, Ikwo, Abomege, Ishielu, Igbeagu Izzi and boundary areas between Ebonyi and Cross River states.
He noted that the restoration of peace had created an enabling environment for development and economic activities across the state.
"Peace remains the foundation of every meaningful development. We have witnessed deliberate efforts by this administration to restore stability through dialogue, collaboration with security agencies and proactive leadership," he said.
Ijeagwu also commended the administration's investment in infrastructure, citing the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and other public facilities that have improved connectivity between rural and urban communities while boosting commerce and regional integration.
He further applauded the government's commitment to education, particularly its postgraduate scholarship programme for over 1,000 Ebonyi indigenes and the establishment of specialised tertiary institutions, including the ICT University, Oferekpe Agbaja, and the Aeronautical University in Ezza.
According to him, the initiatives demonstrate the administration's commitment to developing skilled manpower capable of driving the state's future economic growth.
In the health sector, the Legion said the government had strengthened primary healthcare delivery, deployed medical personnel and provided essential equipment to health facilities, while expanding access to maternal healthcare services through intervention programmes.
The organisation equally acknowledged government interventions in agriculture, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship development and skills acquisition, saying the programmes had improved livelihoods and promoted economic inclusion.
The Legion also commended the governor for the prompt payment of workers' salaries, pensions and gratuities, noting that retirees who previously faced prolonged delays were now receiving their entitlements promptly.
It further applauded the administration's welfare initiatives for women, persons living with disabilities, traditional rulers, civil servants, pensioners and other vulnerable groups across the state.
Describing Governor Nwifuru as a humble and accessible leader, the Legion said his open-door leadership style had strengthened public confidence and encouraged greater citizen participation in governance.
Based on these achievements, the organisation unanimously adopted the governor as its sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election, expressing confidence that another four-year mandate would enable him to consolidate ongoing development programmes across the state.
The Legion called on its members, veterans, military widows, families of ex-servicemen and the people of Ebonyi State to continue supporting the administration in the interest of sustainable peace, development and prosperity.
It also urged political parties, aspirants and other stakeholders to conduct their political activities responsibly by avoiding misinformation, inflammatory rhetoric and actions capable of threatening the state's peace and stability.
The organisation stressed that democratic competition should be based on ideas, policies and performance rather than hostility and divisive politics.
While reaffirming its status as a non-partisan statutory organisation committed to national unity, constitutional democracy and good governance, the Nigeria Legion maintained that recognising and supporting leaders who have delivered measurable results remained a civic and patriotic responsibility.
It expressed confidence that continuity in governance under Governor Nwifuru would further accelerate Ebonyi State's socio-economic development and wished him success in his quest for a second term.
