2027: If you want me back, be ready to sponsor my re-election, Nwifuru tells Ebonyi people 

Governor Nwifuru has challenged the people of Ebonyi state to be prepared to sponsor his re-election come 2027, if they desire it.

 

Nwifuru unequivocally stated that he was not concerned about saving for his 2nd term re-election but focused on addressing the critical needs of the people.

 

Nwifuru spoke on Sunday during an interdenominational thanksgiving service to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of his administration.

 

The event was held at the government House Chapel, Abakaliki.

 

The Governor noted that the task of governance has become more challenging than he thought when he wished to be governor, stressing that he was more preoccupied with meeting the challenges and securing the destiny of the people than thinking about a second term.

 

He said: “One thing peculiar with this position is that every body assesses you and you assess no body.

 

“Everybody believes you are owing him or her and no one is owing you.

 

“My wish when I was campaigning for this Governorship is no longer my wish today.

 

“As a Governor, the destiny of the people you are governing rest squarely on you, and everyone coming to you comes with interest, including your family members.

 

“I want to tell Ebonyians that I’m not saving money for elections.

 

“If you want me to go back it is up to you to sponsor it because I may not have the money.

 

My concern is to address the needs of the people.”

 

Governor Nwifuru enumerated some of the many achievements of his administration within its two years in office to include massive infrastructural development, human capital development, including state sponsored foreign scholarship for over 300 Ebonyians to pursue advanced studies, the rejigging of the State’s health sector through massive equipment procurement and the boosting of human resources for health.

 

He further noted that apart from massive economic empowerment for the people of the state, his administration is currently building two universities: University of ICT and that of Aeronautics, all aimed at securing the future of the state.

 

Highlighting the impunity in the power sector including erratic power supply and extortion of citizens which has hampered industrialization in the country, the Governor called for reversal of the privatization policy in the power sector.

 

He noted that his administration has reached advanced stage in its plan to reactivate the Afikpo power line abandoned since 2011, as well as establish a 330KVA power station which the federal government failed to build for the state.

 

All these he said would attract investors and boost industrialization in the state.

 

The Governor however, re-emphasized that he does not believe in media propaganda but on actions that have direct bearing towards addressing the needs of the people.

 

“I don’t need Press publicity.

 

“What I need is your prayers to remember those striking things that challenge the people which I need to address”, he said.

 

The Governor informed that his administration has gone very far in repaying the 21 billion domestic debt it inherited when it came on board, and renewed his vow never to run his administration on loans.

 

He said: “I decided not to borrow because the state made me Governor, and I didn’t borrow to finance my election.

 

“As a son of nobody, so to say, the best decision is to be diligent and prudent in managing the finances of the state.”

 

He paid glowing tributes to his predecessors maintaining that Ebonyi from inception has always been blessed with Governors who left excellent legacies.

 

He challenged members of his cabinet and other public office holders to either brace up to the responsibilities of their offices or resign, stressing that at two years in office, there should be no excuses to the people of the state.

 

In a homily, the guest preacher, Reverend Father Philip Uguru, charged political leaders to focus on addressing the challenges confronting citizens, calling on the Governor to seek ways of addressing the high cost of house rent, among other teething social challenges facing the people of the state.

 

The Church service featured special prayers for the state, the country and its leaders.