Ebonyi State has thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s expected re-election bid in 2027, adopting him as its sole presidential candidate while also endorsing Governor Francis Nwifuru for a second term in office.
The twin endorsements were made on Monday during a stakeholders’ gathering at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki, where political leaders, traditional rulers, members of the National Assembly, party faithful and other stakeholders converged to assess the performance of both administrations.
Leading the endorsement, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, said the decision reflected the appreciation of Ebonyi people for what he described as unprecedented federal investment in the state and the South-East under President Tinubu’s administration.
According to Umahi, the President has demonstrated commitment to the region through the execution of strategic infrastructure projects, many of which had remained unfulfilled for years. “We are not going to make another mistake. The past belongs to accident of history,” Umahi declared.
He cited several ongoing federal road projects, including a 123-kilometre highway from Ndibe Beach to the Benue State boundary, which he said is valued at about ₦445 billion.
The minister also listed the dualisation of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road and the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road among major projects aimed at improving transportation, stimulating economic activities and enhancing connectivity across the South-East.
He further highlighted bridge projects linking Ebonyi with neighbouring states, saying they demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to integrating the region into the country’s economic development agenda.
Umahi said the level of federal attention currently enjoyed by Ebonyi was unprecedented, recalling that during his years as deputy governor and governor, the state received little federal presence.
“I was deputy governor, I was governor. There was no single appointment at the federal level here. But now, you see the appointments and the projects in Ebonyi State. We are very grateful,” he said.
Describing Tinubu as a leader who has “lifted” Ebonyi State, Umahi urged residents to remain steadfast in their support for the President.
Governor Francis Nwifuru said the endorsement followed consultations with stakeholders across the state, who agreed that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated goodwill towards the South-East through infrastructure development, economic reforms and inclusive governance.
He maintained that the state’s decision was informed by what he described as the tangible benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Stakeholders at the event also endorsed Nwifuru as the sole governorship candidate for the 2027 election, citing his administration’s performance in infrastructure development, education, empowerment programmes and governance reforms.
Formally adopting the resolutions, Umahi declared support for both Tinubu’s re-election bid and Nwifuru’s second-term aspiration.
The event was attended by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, members of the National Assembly, former ministers, party leaders and other prominent political figures from within and outside the South-East.
