...Lists 185 graduates under his scholarship programmes, 45 widow houses, cars for APC Chairmen, other projects
The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and representative of Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has declared that opposition to his re-election bid in 2027 amounts to opposition to Governor Francis Nwifuru, insisting that he remains the governor's preferred candidate for the senatorial seat.
Nwebonyi made the declaration during an engagement with political stakeholders, community leaders, women and youths of Iziogo Ward in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where he highlighted his legislative interventions and constituency projects while soliciting support for his second-term ambition.
The event, held at Iziogo Central School, featured the commissioning of a 10,000-litre-capacity solar-powered motorised borehole, the distribution of four motorcycles to selected youths and the flag-off of a 15-kilometre road construction project within the area.
The senator, who expressed appreciation for the impressive turnout, said he had justified the confidence reposed in him since his inauguration into the 10th National Assembly in 2023.
He recalled that after the commencement of legislative proceedings, he raised concerns over the abandoned Nwiboko-Obodo Federal Road, which he said subsequently attracted presidential approval and contributed to the commencement of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nassarawa-Abuja superhighway project.
Highlighting his constituency interventions, Nwebonyi said he had facilitated scholarships for 185 graduates, constructed boreholes, distributed empowerment items and built houses for more than 45 indigent widows across the district.
He further disclosed that he had extended material support to APC leadership structures in four local government areas of Ebonyi North, namely Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Izzi and Ohaukwu, through the provision of vehicles to the party chairmen.
According to him, he also constructed houses for the party's women leaders in the four local government areas, distribution of numerous motorcycles and agriculture inputs, among others to his constituents as part of his commitment to recognising and strengthening the contributions of his supporters to the party's political organisation.
"I constructed boreholes in this community. I gave scholarships to 18 persons from this place, and I have produced 185 graduates between when I became public officeholder and now as your senator.
"I have built over 45 houses for indigent widows. I have given cars to the APC chairmen in the four local government areas of Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Izzi and Ohaukwu. I have also built houses for the women leaders in the four local government areas.
"What I have done is uncountable. I have also empowered people through the distribution of numerous motorcycles and other items," he said.
The senator cautioned against what he described as divisive political tendencies, urging the people to reject sentiments capable of undermining unity and collective development.
Nwebonyi further declared that his political aspiration enjoyed the backing of Governor Nwifuru, stressing that the governor had endorsed his candidacy from the party's consultation and primary election processes.
"If you oppose me, you are opposing our leader, the governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, because I am his candidate, following his pronouncement right from the day of consultation and the primaries of our party, the APC," he declared.
He commended women, particularly market women, for their contributions to political mobilisation and democratic participation, describing them as an important constituency in party organisation and electoral engagement.
The senator assured the women that their interests would remain a priority, while calling for sustained support for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr. Felicia Nwamkpuma, recalled the development interventions attracted to the community during Nwebonyi's previous supervisory responsibilities, noting that residents had continued to appreciate projects executed in the area.
She assured the senator of the support of women groups, particularly the women's wing of the party, while appealing for greater attention to youth engagement and mobilisation ahead of the elections.
Nwamkpuma urged community leaders and political stakeholders to guide young people towards responsible conduct and discourage activities capable of disrupting the peace during the 2027 electoral process.
Also speaking, former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sunday Nwangele, urged the people to remain committed to the APC, declaring that their support for the party would translate into support for Governor Nwifuru, Senator Nwebonyi and other APC candidates across the state.
Nwangele listed Chief Emmanuel Uguru, candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, and Godwin Abiri, representing Izzi West State Constituency, among the party's candidates he urged the electorate to support.
He commended Nwebonyi for his interventions in the community, including road construction and the provision of boreholes, saying the senator deserved another term to consolidate his legislative and constituency achievements.
He also said Governor Nwifuru had directed eligible voters in Izzi to support APC candidates across all elective positions, from the presidential to the state constituency level.
Similarly, Godwin Abiri, representing Izzi West State Constituency, described Governor Nwifuru's administration as one that had prioritised infrastructural and human capital development.
Abiri urged the electorate to support the re-election of Nwifuru, Nwebonyi, Uguru and other APC candidates, arguing that continuity would enable them to consolidate their respective development programmes.
He called for political unity and cautioned against divisive tendencies capable of weakening the party's mobilisation efforts.
Speaking on behalf of the village, Anayo Nwoga pledged the support of Iziogo Ward stakeholders and residents for APC candidates, assuring that the community would work towards securing electoral victories for the party.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Development Centre Coordinators' Forum, Chidi Ogbonna, said Nwebonyi had demonstrated commitment to the development of Ebonyi North through interventions across different communities.
Ogbonna maintained that the senator's membership of the APC and his relationship with Governor Nwifuru were important considerations in the party's political mobilisation ahead of 2027.
The Coordinator and other speakers at the event, including the National President of Women of Grace Foundation, Princess Modester Amarachi Nwebonyi, said the APC was prepared for the forthcoming general elections, adding that Nwebonyi's engagement with stakeholders from the 14 villages in Iziogo Ward demonstrated his commitment to grassroots consultation.
The event attracted APC stakeholders, community leaders, women and youth groups, among others.
