Ebonyi: Nwifuru’s record speaks for itself, aide replies diaspora group

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Chief Oguzor Offia-Nwali, has dismissed claims by the Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) against Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, insisting that the governor’s performance remains verifiable.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Offia-Nwali described AEISCID’s allegation that the governor had failed to deliver on governance as “misleading” and “grossly inconsistent with realities on the ground across Ebonyi State.”

He said while individuals and groups had the constitutional right to express divergent political opinions, public discourse must be anchored on facts, objectivity and verifiable evidence rather than conjectures and sweeping generalisations.

Listing the administration’s achievements, he said 1,000 Ebonyi students were awarded scholarships, including 300 beneficiaries studying in leading universities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, while 700 others are in Nigerian universities at government expense.

He added that schools had been constructed and rehabilitated, the Ebonyi State College of Education was upgraded to a degree-awarding institution, and Ebonyi State University’s monthly subvention was increased from N150 million to N300 million. Tuition fees were reduced and infrastructure within the university improved.

On human capital development, Offia-Nwali said the embargo on employment was lifted, leading to the recruitment of over 2,000 teachers, medical personnel and judicial officers. Promotions and conversions for civil servants were approved, while thousands of youths and women were empowered with grants running into billions of naira.

He said the administration rehabilitated and equipped all 13 general hospitals, revitalised 171 primary healthcare centres, procured ambulances, MRI and CT-scan machines, constructed doctors’ quarters, reactivated the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme and supported indigent patients.

On infrastructure, he listed road and bridge projects across the 13 local government areas, including flyover projects at Vanco Junction, Nwezenyi and Nwofe, the Odomoke Unity Bridge, Alubeleze Akadoro Bridge and several strategic rural roads. Housing estates for civil servants, traditional rulers and victims of communal crises had either been completed or were at advanced stages.

The administration, he noted, revitalised agriculture through fertiliser distribution, establishment of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, support for women in agriculture and the revitalisation of the state hatchery.

He added that long-standing communal disputes had been resolved, relative peace restored across communities, and governance conducted with regard for the rule of law, local government autonomy and prudent management of resources.

Offia-Nwali further stated that the administration strengthened diaspora engagement, expanded transportation through EBOCAB, revived the Ebonyi Pipe Production Industry and Ebonyi Building Materials Industry, and set machinery in motion for the Ebonyi Cement Factory.

He also disclosed that two new universities — ICT University, Oferekpe, and Aeronautic University, Onueke — had been established, while water supply infrastructure was improved and rural development accelerated.

“In less than three years in office, Governor Nwifuru has distinguished himself as a visionary and people-oriented leader through the faithful implementation of the People’s Charter of Needs agenda,” the statement read.

“It is therefore difficult to reconcile these verifiable achievements with the narrative being advanced by AEISCID,” he said.

He urged AEISCID and other groups to embrace constructive engagement and desist from actions or narratives capable of distracting the administration from developing Ebonyi State.

“Democracy thrives on constructive criticism. However, criticism must be balanced, evidence-based and fair. Political endorsements and electoral choices should ultimately be determined by facts, performance and the collective interest of Ebonyi people,” he stated.

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Offia-Nwali added that governance should not be derailed by “politically motivational speakers,” stressing that all well-meaning sons and daughters of the state should support ongoing efforts to accelerate development and improve welfare.

“Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru remains resolute, focused and committed to the full implementation of the People’s Charter of Needs for the overall prosperity of Ebonyi State and her people,” he said.

“The people of Ebonyi State remain the ultimate judges of leadership performance, and history will undoubtedly acknowledge the transformational strides already recorded under the present administration,” he added.

Recall that AEISCID had declared that Governor Francis Nwifuru did not deserve a second term in office, insisting that his administration lacked the performance record required to justify re-election in the 2027 governorship election.

The group also, in a statement signed by its Worldwide President, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, challenged the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry to present Governor Nwifuru’s achievements sector by sector, or at least provide a performance assessment of his ministry and a few others under the current administration.