Thousands of members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday converged at the Edda West Development Center headquarters in Igbara Edda, Ebonyi State, to endorse Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for a second term in office and declare support for other party candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rally, which attracted party leaders, ward chairmen, women leaders, youth groups and grassroots mobilizers, witnessed a massive turnout as participants marched in a procession from Igbara through Itim to Owutu Edda, chanting solidarity songs and waving APC flags.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of Edda West Development Center, Hon. Jecklin Onwubuko Ukpai Ikwuo, said the endorsement was based on Governor Nwifuru's performance and fulfillment of campaign promises rather than political rhetoric.
According to him, the governor's People's Charter of Needs agenda has driven significant development across the state, including road infrastructure, civil service reforms and other landmark projects.
He highlighted the upgrade of Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, establishment of new universities, overseas scholarship programmes and improvements at Ebonyi State University as some of the administration's notable achievements.
Ikwuo further commended the government's interventions in the housing sector through projects such as the Civil Servants' Housing Estate, Amaze Housing Project and Izzo Housing Project, adding that pension and gratuity arrears dating back to 1999 were being cleared under the present administration.
He also praised the government for restoring peace in communities that previously experienced crises, including Effium, Alioma, Amasiri and Oso Edda, as well as the construction of modern palaces for traditional rulers across the state.
"On behalf of the people of Edda West Development Center, we hereby declare our total, unequivocal and unwavering endorsement of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for a second term as Governor of Ebonyi State in 2027," Ikwuo declared.
"We shall mobilise every ward, every village and every community to ensure that the remarkable progress recorded under your administration continues beyond 2027."
The endorsement received the backing of traditional and women leaders at the rally. The traditional ruler of Amato Autonomous Community, Ezeogo Elder Nkama Ndukwu Irem Oduko, and the women leader, Mrs. Rita Benedita Okoro, separately expressed support for the governor's re-election bid.
The rally also endorsed APC candidates for Edda East and Edda West State Constituencies, Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency and Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the 2027 elections.
In his remarks, Ikwuo appreciated the APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha; the Chairman of Edda Local Government Area, Prince Chima Ekumankama; former Senator Soni Ogbuoji; councillors and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the gathering.
A major highlight of the event was the formal adoption of Governor Nwifuru's re-election bid through a motion moved by Hon. Agha Ukpai and seconded by Hon. Chima Ukpai. The motion was subsequently put to a voice vote and unanimously approved by the crowd.
The rally is widely seen as an early demonstration of grassroots mobilization by the APC in Edda Local Government Area as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
