The Ikeduoha Mass Movement, a sociopolitical group in Ebonyi State, has endorsed Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for a second term in office, saying his administration's performance in workers' welfare, infrastructure development and inclusive governance justifies renewed public support.
The endorsement was announced during a stakeholders' meeting in Abakaliki, where members of the group also expressed support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate for Abakaliki Local Government Area, Mr. Chidi Alo, ahead of the September 1, 2026 local government election.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the National Coordinator of the movement, Comrade Silvanus Obaba, said the group's decision followed what he described as the governor's remarkable achievements across key sectors of the state economy.
According to Obaba, Governor Nwifuru has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants and retirees by addressing long-standing pension and gratuity obligations.
"Coming from the local government system where I served as a pension desk officer, I know what retirees passed through over the years. Governor Nwifuru has shown the political will to clear pension and gratuity arrears that had accumulated for decades. That is one of the reasons we believe he deserves another term," he said.
He also commended the administration's road construction programme, saying many communities across the state had benefited from ongoing and completed projects.
"Go to different parts of Abakaliki and the rural communities, you will see roads that have either been completed or are under construction. The governor is touching virtually every sector, from infrastructure to education and social development," Obaba stated.
While praising the governor's performance, he appealed for the speedy completion of the ongoing Vanco Flyover and Tunnel project, noting that residents and motorists had continued to experience difficulties around the construction corridor.
"Our only appeal is that the contractor handling the Vanco project should be held accountable to complete the work on schedule. The people are facing challenges because of the ongoing construction, but we believe the project will be of immense benefit when completed," he added.
Obaba further urged the governor's media team to intensify efforts in publicising the administration's achievements.
"The governor is doing a lot, but many people are not adequately informed about these projects. His media team should project these achievements more effectively so that the public can appreciate the level of development taking place in Ebonyi State," he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Urban Mobilisation of the Ikeduoha Mass Movement and Co-founder of the Divine Favoured Jesus Bride Foundation, Mr. Jasper Chris Umenweze, described Governor Nwifuru as a leader committed to building an inclusive and prosperous Ebonyi State.
"Governor Nwifuru is a builder. He carries everybody along, whether indigenous or non-indigenous. His administration has promoted peace and given every resident a sense of belonging, and that is why we are supporting him for a second term," Umenweze said.
He noted that the movement enjoys the support of both indigenes and non-indigenes living in Abakaliki, stressing that the governor's inclusive leadership had strengthened unity in the state.
Umenweze also reaffirmed the group's endorsement of Mr. Chidi Alo for the Abakaliki Local Government chairmanship election, saying the decision reflected confidence in his leadership capacity.
"We believe Chidi Alo has the competence to lead Abakaliki Local Government. Our support is based on our conviction that he will consolidate the development efforts of the present administration at the grassroots," he said.
Highlighting the activities of his foundation, Umenweze disclosed that it had empowered more than 5,000 widows in Ebonyi State since its establishment, irrespective of religious or ethnic background.
"Our foundation was established to provide support for widows and vulnerable persons. We do not discriminate. We have empowered over 5,000 widows because we believe service to humanity is service to God," he said.
The group called on residents of Ebonyi State to sustain their support for Governor Nwifuru's administration, expressing confidence that a second term would consolidate ongoing development projects and expand the dividends of governance across the state.
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