The Ohaukwu Youth General Assembly (OYGA), in collaboration with the Ohaukwu Forum of Comrades, on Saturday unanimously endorsed Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 governorship election, citing his administration's performance in security, peace-building, infrastructure and youth development.
The youth group also adopted Chief Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, as their preferred candidate for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.
The endorsements were made during a well-attended solidarity rally that drew hundreds of youths from across Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
The participants marched from Okwo Ngbo Market to Ezzamgbo Junction, chanting pro-Nwifuru songs and urging the governor to support Ogalagu's aspiration for the House of Representatives.
Speaking at the rally, the National President of the Ohaukwu Youth General Assembly, Comrade Emmanuel Onah, said the decision to endorse Governor Nwifuru was based on what he described as the governor's remarkable leadership, commitment to peace and visible developmental strides across the state.
He credited the governor with restoring stability to communities previously affected by communal conflicts, particularly the Effium crisis and the boundary dispute involving Ngbo and Agila communities, connecting Ebonyi and Benue States.
"There is absolute peace in Ohaukwu today because of the commitment of Governor Francis Nwifuru. The crises in Effium and between Ngbo and Agila have been substantially brought under control, and our people are grateful for his leadership," Onah said.
According to him, the massive turnout at the rally reflected the confidence of Ohaukwu youths in the governor's administration.
"The youths of Ohaukwu have spoken with one voice. We have no other governorship candidate in 2027 apart from Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. He has performed creditably and deserves another term to consolidate on his achievements," he stated.
Onah said the endorsement transcended political party affiliations, stressing that the youths were supporting individuals based on their track records and contributions to the development of Ohaukwu.
"The 2027 election is not about political parties but about credible candidates. We are an independent youth body and our endorsement is based strictly on performance. Governor Nwifuru has restored hope to many young people through scholarship opportunities, empowerment initiatives and his commitment to peace and development," he said.
The youth leader further argued that equity and fairness demanded that Governor Nwifuru, who hails from Ebonyi North Senatorial District, should be allowed to complete a second term in office.
"It is only fair and just that Ebonyi North completes its tenure. Governor Nwifuru has done well and deserves the opportunity to finish what he has started," he added.
On the endorsement of Ogalagu, Onah described the legal practitioner and philanthropist as a dependable leader whose investments in human capital development had transformed the lives of many young people.
He said Ogalagu had facilitated employment opportunities for over 500 youths, supported vulnerable families and demonstrated uncommon commitment to community development.
"If as a private citizen he has been able to secure employment opportunities for 700 of our youths and support several families, then we believe he will do even more if elected into the House of Representatives," he said.
Onah also disclosed that Ogalagu had pledged to rehabilitate the Area Command facility in some communities to strengthen security architecture in Ohaukwu, noting that the intervention would complement ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities in the area.
He equally announced the commencement of a free vocational skills acquisition programme for youths in the local government, saying the initiative would provide training in tailoring, fashion design, electrical installation, mechanics, driving and other trades at no cost to participants.
"We are launching a free skills acquisition programme for our youths. Anyone interested in learning a vocation will be trained free of charge. It is our contribution towards empowering young people and reducing unemployment," he said.
Earlier, Chidi Omah from Amaeshi Izhia moved the motion for Governor Nwifuru's endorsement, describing the governor as a visionary leader whose administration had delivered tangible dividends of democracy to Ohaukwu and Ebonyi State.
He urged the youths to remain united in supporting the governor's re-election bid to enable him consolidate on his developmental programmes.
The motion was seconded by Chigbo Onwe from Amaeku Ngbo and was unanimously adopted through a voice vote.
Similarly, John Elom from Effium moved the motion endorsing Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency seat, while Patrick Ike from Amaofia Ngbo seconded the motion, which was also unanimously adopted.
Several speakers at the rally described Ogalagu as a philanthropist whose interventions in youth empowerment, education, employment and community development had positively impacted many families across Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
They maintained that his accessibility, commitment to human capital development and sustained empowerment initiatives justified the youths' unanimous endorsement of his aspiration for the House of Representatives.
The rally ended with the Ohaukwu Youth General Assembly and the Ohaukwu Forum of Comrades reaffirming their commitment to mobilising grassroots support for Governor Nwifuru's re-election and Ogalagu's House of Representatives bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Throughout the procession, the youths chanted solidarity songs in support of Governor Nwifuru's second-term bid while calling on him to back Ogalagu's aspiration, declaring that both leaders had earned their confidence through what they described as impactful leadership and sustained service to the people.
