The Ebonyi South Youth Assembly has challenged a former aide to the Ebonyi State Government, Emma Igwe, to verify his allegations against the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, urging him to “ask his wife” about the achievements of the present administration.
The youth body was reacting to a recent article by Igwe titled, “Non-Completion of Projects: Is Ebonyi State Above the Mental Capacity of Nwifuru, or Who Takes the Money?” in which he criticised the governor over alleged abandoned and uncompleted projects across the state.
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Odii Njoku, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, the group described the allegations as misleading and lacking factual basis.
The youths accused Igwe of attempting to misinform members of the public and undermine the image of the state government through what they described as politically motivated criticism.
According to the statement, Igwe’s wife is a stakeholder in the present administration and serves as the General Manager of Ebonyi State Transport Corporation, EBOTRANS, and therefore, the group said, should be in a position to provide information on the government’s activities.
“Your answer to your question lies with your wife, who is a major stakeholder in Governor Nwifuru’s administration. She is in a better position to explain the achievements recorded by the government, particularly in EBOTRANS,” the group stated.
The Ebonyi South Youth Assembly also questioned Igwe’s record during his reported eight-year tenure as a Special Assistant, asking him to account for his contributions to the development of Ezzanga community during his time in government.
The group argued that Igwe should acknowledge the projects and programmes executed or initiated by the Nwifuru administration rather than relying on what it described as unsubstantiated allegations.
It listed the University of ICT, Science and Technology, the University of Aeronautics, the housing project in Ishielu Local Government Area and the Ebonyi Industrial Cluster among ongoing projects it said reflected the administration’s development agenda.
The youths also commended the governor for continuing several projects inherited from previous administrations, saying such continuity demonstrated commitment to completing projects for the benefit of residents rather than abandoning them because they were initiated by previous governments.
On the Vanco Flyover project, the group said its completion would help address traffic challenges in Abakaliki, improve the aesthetics of the state capital and stimulate commercial activities.
The statement further credited the Nwifuru administration with sustaining peace and political stability in the state, arguing that the development had created a favourable environment for investment and economic activities.
The group urged residents to assess the administration on the basis of completed projects, ongoing infrastructure and measurable achievements rather than what it described as politically motivated attacks.
It also called on the public to disregard what it described as “misleading narratives and fake documentary” allegedly circulated by Igwe, insisting that the administration had recorded progress across infrastructure, education and human capital development.
The youths maintained that constructive criticism remained important in a democratic society but insisted that such criticism should be based on verifiable facts.
They urged the people of Ebonyi State to continue to scrutinise government policies and projects objectively, saying the ultimate assessment of any administration should be based on its impact on the lives of the people.
