Angela Mbaocha, Abakaliki
The Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and a governorship aspirant in the 2023 elections under the platform of All Progressives Congress(APC), Chief Francis Nwifuru, Monday said he would put an end to the communal crisis in some communities of the state if elected.
He also assured that he would put an end to rural-urban migration by opening access roads and providing other social amenities in rural areas if elected the Governor of the state.
Nwifuru, disclosed this when he presented his nomination and expression of interest forms to the traditional rulers in Abakaliki, the capital city of Ebonyi state. The speaker picked his forms contrary to the rumors in some quarters in the state that he was denied the forms by the National Leadership of the party following his sack by an Abuja Federal High Court for defecting to the APC.
He said that he will also ensure that the welfare of workers in the state was improved, stressing that their take-home salaries no longer meet their needs.
Nwifuru, a two-term Speaker of the Assembly explained that he was in the race because his Izzi people and the entire state asked him to run for the election.
He said, “I am here to present to you our nomination forms to contest next year’s general election. We never met anybody for consultation but it was you the traditional rulers, my Izzi people, and the entire people that told us to contest for the 2023 governorship election.
“When the Traditional rulers from the Izzi clan and stakeholders asked me to run for the election, tears dropped from my eyes because I am too young but they said I am the one that they want. I want to assure you people that I will not disappoint the state.
“We are going do all we can to restore peace in the warring communities, we will tackle rural-urban migration by opening roads, providing light, water, and other amenities that make life meaningful in the communities. We will build on the legacies of the present Governor, David Umahi who has transformed the state. We will consolidate on his achievements”, he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman, southeast Traditional Rulers Council, and Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Charles Mkpuma assured Nwifuru of their support.
He was optimistic that the Speaker would surpass the present Governor of the state, Dave Umahi in terms of achievements.
“We do not doubt your capacity, we know you very well. You will perform more than your master”, he added
