The Chief of Staff to the Ebonyi State Government, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu, has assured civil servants in the state that they stand to enjoy improved welfare and more government-friendly policies if Governor Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru secures a second term in office in 2027.
Prof. Echiegu gave the assurance at the New Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, while receiving members of the Ebonyi State Civil Vanguard for FON, who paid him a courtesy visit to declare their support for Governor Nwifuru's re-election bid.
Addressing the state and local government executives of the group, the Chief of Staff described the visit as historic, noting that it was the first time civil servants in Ebonyi State had openly united to endorse a sitting governor for a second term.
He said the endorsement was a reflection of the governor's commitment to workers' welfare, stressing that the administration had implemented policies that directly improved the lives of civil servants and retirees.
"Nobody will take away your right to support a candidate of your choice as civil servants. I must say that you have made history for being the first set of civil servants to boldly come out to support any governor's re-election in the history of Ebonyi State.
"I am not surprised that you decided to support the governor for a second term because Governor Nwifuru has done so much for workers in the state and he merits your support. I am assuring you that if he gets back, as I am very sure he will, you will enjoy more than what you are enjoying now," Echiegu said.
The Chief of Staff highlighted several initiatives of the Nwifuru administration, including the recruitment of more than 6,000 workers comprising teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers and other professionals after years without employment into the state civil service.
He also listed the implementation of the new national minimum wage, prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, the establishment of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) to provide free healthcare access for civil servants, workers' transportation support following the removal of fuel subsidy, and the construction of a housing estate for workers as evidence of the administration's commitment to labour welfare.
According to him, these achievements justify the overwhelming support the governor is receiving from the state's workforce.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of the Ebonyi State Civil Vanguard for FON, Comrade Anthony Nwankwo, said the visit was aimed at conveying the appreciation of civil servants to Governor Nwifuru for his worker-friendly policies and to formally declare the group's support for his second-term ambition.
Nwankwo stated that the organisation, with a membership of over 10,000 drawn from serving and retired civil servants across the state and the 13 local government areas, was determined to mobilise support for the governor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He described Governor Nwifuru as a dependable friend of workers whose administration had restored confidence in the state's civil service through improved welfare packages and other people-oriented programmes.
The coordinator disclosed that the group was planning a mega endorsement rally to publicly affirm its support for the governor and demonstrate that "there is no vacancy in Government House in 2027."
He also announced the appointment of Prof. Echiegu as Patron of the organisation.
In his vote of thanks, Comrade John Elom commended the Chief of Staff for receiving the delegation and accepting the patronship of the group.
Elom maintained that the welfare programmes introduced by Governor Nwifuru had transformed the lives of workers and retirees in the state, adding that the administration's achievements accounted for the widespread support it continued to enjoy among the workforce.
