A former aide to the member representing Ezza North-East Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Israel Uchenna Aleke, has declared that attempts by political opponents to defeat Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s re-election bid in the 2027 governorship election will not succeed.
Aleke urged the people of Ezza Ezekunna Nation and Ebonyi State at large to remain united and assess the administration of Nwifuru on the basis of its policies, programmes and development projects rather than political sentiments.
He spoke on Saturday in Ezza North Local Government Area during activities marking his birthday anniversary.
Aleke said his support for Nwifuru’s continuity was informed by what he described as visible interventions in infrastructure, security, peace-building, human-capital development and economic empowerment across the state.
He also commended his former principal, the Executive Chairman of Ezza North Local Government Area, Dr Friday Linus Nwuhuo, for what he described as “responsible and purposeful leadership”, recalling the experience and opportunities he gained while serving as his legislative aide.
“I cannot celebrate my birthday without appreciating my boss, Barrister Friday Linus Nwuhuo, PhD. He is a true leader and I remain grateful for the opportunity I had to serve under him,” Aleke said.
On the political situation in the state, Aleke said Nwifuru’s administration had, in his assessment, demonstrated commitment to translating the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs into tangible programmes and projects.
He cited road and bridge construction, urban renewal, healthcare interventions, educational investments, agricultural development, youth empowerment and security as areas in which the administration had made significant interventions.
Recent figures released by the state Ministry of Works indicate that more than 627 kilometres of roads have been completed under the Nwifuru administration, while major projects, including the Vanco Flyover and underground tunnel, are at various stages of execution.
The governor’s 2026 budget presentation also outlined investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, industrialisation and youth empowerment.
The administration has also highlighted the establishment of the University of Information and Communication Technology at Oferekpe Agbaja and the University of Aeronautic Engineering at Ezza, alongside the construction of more than 43 model secondary schools and scholarship interventions benefiting over 1,000 students, among others.
Aleke further identified the Ebonyi International Airport, major road corridors, healthcare facilities and other strategic infrastructure projects as interventions capable of enhancing connectivity and stimulating economic activities across the state.
He said the government’s project portfolio, which includes the airport, new general hospital, smart-school initiatives, community water projects and reforms in the civil service and traditional institutions, represented a broad development agenda spanning the state’s 13 local government areas.
On security, Aleke commended the administration’s collaboration with security agencies, stressing that peace and stability were essential foundations for sustainable economic and social development.
In June, Nwifuru commissioned and handed over 31 operational vehicles to security agencies and disclosed the procurement of drones and other security equipment as part of measures to strengthen the state’s crime-fighting capacity.
The former legislative aide also applauded the administration’s human-capital development and empowerment initiatives, particularly programmes targeted at youths, farmers, entrepreneurs, students and other vulnerable groups.
He appealed to the people of Ezza clan and other communities to resist political divisions ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that political differences should not be allowed to undermine peace, unity and development.
“I appeal to our people to remain united. Politics should not divide brothers and communities. We should examine what each political platform is offering the people and allow the people to make their choice,” he said.
Aleke’s position comes amid growing political contestation ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Mr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, publicly advocating a change in the direction of governance and presenting his own development agenda.
While expressing his personal support for Nwifuru’s continuity bid, Aleke described claims that the opposition would dislodge the incumbent governor as unrealistic, while acknowledging that the ultimate decision rested with the electorate.
He also argued that the aspiration for an Ezza successor from Ebonyi Central Senatorial District after Nwifuru’s tenure should not become a source of political division, stressing that the immediate priority should be the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.
According to him, the governor’s performance should be assessed against the commitments contained in his manifesto and the projects completed or currently being executed across the state.
Aleke said the administration’s emphasis on human and infrastructural development was particularly significant, noting that improved roads, bridges, aviation infrastructure and urban renewal could facilitate commerce, attract investment and ease the movement of people and goods.
He expressed optimism that Nwifuru’s proposed second-term agenda, if endorsed by the electorate, would provide an opportunity to consolidate ongoing projects and address areas requiring further intervention.
“I pray that by this time next year, I will celebrate another birthday in a peaceful Ebonyi and in an atmosphere where the people are discussing the progress recorded by the state,” he said.
Aleke added that he expected the administration to consolidate the gains recorded under the People’s Charter of Needs while addressing outstanding development challenges across the state.
The celebrant also used the occasion to appreciate friends, associates and well-wishers who joined him in marking the anniversary, saying their presence underscored the value of friendship, solidarity and community relationships.
He, however, emphasized that his political position represented his personal conviction and urged political actors across the divide to conduct their campaigns peacefully and allow the electorate to determine the state’s political direction through the ballot.
