The political landscape of Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 general elections has witnessed a major shift as the influential OHANIVO political bloc formally adopted Governor Francis Nwifuru as their sole governorship candidate.
Comprising the Ohaozara, Onicha, and Ivo Local Government Areas, the OHANIVO bloc solidified its position during the grand finale of the annual Ohanivo New Yam Festival (Iri Ji) held at Oshiri Central School, Onicha Local Government Arra. At the gathering, community leaders, stakeholders, and traditional rulers unanimously moved a political motion to secure the bloc's total voting strength for Governor Nwifuru's second-term bid.
The resolution, moved by Chief Ifesinachi Odii (a member of the Federal Civil Service Commission) and seconded by Ogbuefi Enekwachi Akpa, explicitly declared that the bloc would not tolerate "distractions from political merchants" ahead of 2027.
The decision of the OHANIVO people to pitch their tent with Governor Nwifuru rests on three critical pillars:
The bloc highlighted the visible impacts of the administration's infrastructural footprint. Former Governor and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, noted during the festival that approximately 30 kilometers of the critical 32-kilometer Abakaliki–Ohanivo road had already been successfully completed. Additionally, Governor Nwifuru committed to completing the outstanding sections of the Oshiri-Ugwulangwu road to reconnect severed agrarian communities.
Stakeholders from the three local governments emphasized that the tripod of equity, fairness, and social justice remains the foundation of sustainable peace in Ebonyi State. By backing Nwifuru for a second term, the OHANIVO leaders reaffirmed their support for the power-sharing arrangement that ensures administrative continuity and political stability across the state’s zones.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the endorsement reflects the community's satisfaction with Nwifuru's healthcare and educational reforms. The administration's upgrade of general hospitals, recruitment of medical personnel, salary restructuring for doctors, and the continuation of overseas postgraduate scholarship schemes have resonated strongly with local populations.
The event served as a demonstration of political synergy between Governor Nwifuru and his predecessor, Senator David Umahi.
Addressing the crowd, Senator Umahi declared that "there is no vacancy in Ebonyi State" for opposition parties. He assured the governor that he could "sleep with his eyes closed" because the total votes from OHANIVO and the Southern Senatorial District belong entirely to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Nwifuru, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his remarks at the event, a grateful Governor Nwifuru acknowledged the significance of the endorsement, stating that it marked his first formal blessing from a major bloc for his second-term bid.
"Today is my first time receiving a blessing personally for my second term in office. I believe in your sincerity. I believe in your love and trust for me," Nwifuru stated.
The governor promised to sustain his administration’s focus on the area, noting that the bloc occupies a center stage in the state’s development trajectories. To further anchor this commitment, the foundation stone was laid for an Ohanivo Ultra-Modern Complex, intended to serve as a socio-economic hub for the three local government areas.
The unified front presented by OHANIVO’s traditional and political elite establishes Governor Nwifuru as a formidable force heading toward the 2027 elections.
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