The people of Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo constituency in Ebonyi State have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru for a second term.
They promised to vote en mass for the two political leaders in next year’s general election.
The people announced their endorsement during the grand finale of the Ohanivo New Yam Festival held at Oshiri Primary School in the Oshiri Development Centre of the Onicha Local Government Area of the state.
The endorsement followed a motion to that effect moved by Mr. Ifesinachi Odii and supported by Ogbuefi Enekwachi Akpa during the rally.
Moving the motion, Odii urged Governor Nwifuru not to be distracted by what the people called the activities of ‘political merchants’.
He stated that the people of the zone were solidly behind the President and the governor.
Works Minister David Umahi said the zone and other parts of the state were well prepared to mobilise and galvanise support for President Tinubu, Governor Nwifuru and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The minister urged the people to rally behind the APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
Umahi, who hails from the constituency, insisted that the election would be a movement to consolidate what he called peace and development in Ebonyi State and other parts of the Southeast.
‘We have nothing to worry about. Nothing. This election will be a movement, the movement of our peace in Ebonyi State, the movement of our peace in the Southeast,’ he said.
The minister stated that the APC would embark on a grassroots mobilisation campaign across the state, urging the people to vote for President Tinubu, Nwifuru, and other APC candidates.
‘We go from house to house to educate our people. All our votes will be for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all our votes will be for Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and all our votes will be for Senator Anthony Ani. This is the movement,’ he said.
Umahi urged supporters not to destroy campaign posters or disrupt the activities of opposition parties.
The minister promised to continue to work with Governor Nwifuru to secure ‘eight years’ for his administration.
‘We cannot be deceived. The Southeast will support President Bola Tinubu and make it a movement,’ he said.
Umahi declared that there was ‘no vacancy’ in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also, Governor Nwifuru recalled the political developments leading to his election victory in 2023.
He noted that the people of Ohanivo and other supporters had demonstrated confidence in his administration.
The governor said the support he received from the zone had given him the confidence to seek another term in office.
‘Today, this is my first time receiving a blessing, personally, for my second time in office. I tell you this: A lot of clans and tribes have been inviting me to attend their functions, and I delayed taking a blessing from them even when I had a chance because I was waiting for that of Ohanivo first.’ Nwifuru said.
The governor praised Umahi for his role at the federal level, describing his representation of Ebonyi and the Southeast in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as effective.
The minister also acknowledged the contributions of Ebonyi sons and daughters serving in the National Assembly.
Akpa, who chaired the occasion, said the New Yam Festival was a celebration of thanksgiving, culture, hard work, unity and prosperity.
He urged the youth and other indigenes in the diaspora to remain connected to their roots and contribute to the development of the community.