By Roland Ike
The Abakaliki urban community has reiterated its desire to unite in support of Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state for showing tremendous interest in its affairs.
The community’s stakeholders after a meeting in Abakaliki on Tuesday, resolved to use the platform of the Onwa Oferekpe Foundation (The Governor ‘s Title) to re-awaken the consciousness of the urbanites, in offering massive support to the Nwifuru led administration in the state.
Chief Kenneth Nwovu, the National President of the Onwa Oferekpe foundation remarked that it has resolved to ensure that the nine political wards of the urban community identify with the ideals of the governor and the All Progressives Party (APC).
Nwovu said that such resolve was poignantly displayed during the last Local Government Area elections in the state where the “urbanites” voted massively for the APC in its stand-out victory, in all chairmanship and councillorship positions under contest.
“The urbanites’ contribution to the APC’s total sweep of the elections was evident with one of the its wards- (ward 12) accounting for the highest votes in Abakaliki LGA.
“The people have seen the reason to come together and reignite its voting force to be part of the wonder-working government of Governor Nwifuru.
“This is a governor who has surpassed all expectations within one year and is uplifting the lives of the young, old, men, women, youths and children.”
He noted the urbanites have learnt critical lessons from its dismal performance in the last general elections, noting that such would not repeat.
“We were deceived by deceivers but in 2027, we would show the governor that we appreciate all he has been doing for us.”
Okechukwu Eze–Ibe, Coordinator of Onwa Oferekpe Foundation- Abakaliki/ Ebonyi Urban Forum, noted that the meeting afforded the foundation opportunity to strategize to achieve all set objectives.
Eze-Ibe said the meeting was to intimate members on the need to identify with the forum, in its bid to propagate the good works of its founder, Governor Francis Nwifuru.
“The urbanites should be at the forefront of activities aimed at propagating these good works to all corners of the state, south east geo-political zone, Nigeria and the world at large…
“The governor has touched the lives of Ebonyi people in all ramifications under his peoples charter of needs mantra.with massive employment into the state civil service and employment of health personnel across the General hospitals in the state with improved benefits.
“He has also offset arrears of gratuities and pensions owed workers while consolidating on his predecessor’s infrastructural strides through the massive construction of roads, bridges among others, in Abakaliki and the 13 LGAs of the state.
“This meeting therefore provides us the opportunity of outlining our aims and objectives, streamlining and actualising them, to effectively participate in the progressive and people oriented government in the state.”
Chief Chukwujekwu Bekee Orji, an Elder of the foundation said that the meeting was an opportunity for new decampees into the APC like him, to identify with the worthy ideals of the governor.
“The governor is performing tremendously in office, has been a worthy benefactor of the urbanites so we have all agreed to support his administration.”
Mrs Lucy Njelita, a member of the foundation said that efforts should be intensified to mobilise more women in the urban community to strengthen the foundation ideals of supporting the governor.
