President Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Francis Nwifuru, and Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi received the endorsement of town union presidents from communities across Ebonyi North Senatorial District on Tuesday. The leaders also backed other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Endorsement at Amagu Community
The community leaders made the endorsement at Amagu, the ancestral community of Izhi speaking people in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. They noted that the decision followed consultations among town union leaders in Ebonyi North.
Chief Augustine Akpu, the State President of the Association of Town Union Presidents and President-General of Amagu Autonomous Community, addressed journalists on behalf of the group. He stated that the endorsement covered President Tinubu, Governor Nwifuru, Senator Nwebonyi for Ebonyi North Senatorial seat, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Uguru for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, and APC candidates seeking seats in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
Reasons for Endorsement
According to Akpu, the leaders considered the performance of the governor and the senator in arriving at their decision. He commended Governor Nwifuru for infrastructural development, youth empowerment initiatives, and scholarship awards to Ebonyi indigenes, describing his performance as commendable. Akpu also hailed Senator Nwebonyi, saying he had distinguished himself through constituency projects and effective representation.
However, the community leader noted that some elected representatives had not met the expectations of their constituents and urged them to improve their performance if re-elected. He stated, “We expect more empowerment programmes for youths, scholarships for our sons and daughters, and greater attention to the welfare of the people.” On politicians who were not successful in their political ambitions, Akpu urged them to remain patient and continue to support peace and development in the state.
Role of Town Union Leaders
Deacon Elijah Ituma, the Public Relations Officer of the Association, emphasized the importance of town union leaders in grassroots administration and conflict resolution. Ituma, a retired Permanent Secretary and President-General of Okposi Ehuku Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, said town union presidents remained critical stakeholders in maintaining peace and stability at the community level. He urged political office holders and government officials to engage grassroots leaders more effectively in governance and development initiatives.
Prince Sunday Ogboso, the President-General of Mbeke-Ishieke Autonomous Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area, expressed support for President Tinubu, Governor Nwifuru, and Senator Nwebonyi, citing ongoing development projects and infrastructural improvements in the area. He said the achievements recorded by the APC-led administrations informed the decision of the town union leaders to support their re-election bids.
Call for Welfare of Grassroots Leaders
Dr. Austin Ezeora Aligwe, the President-General of Ndieze Enyim Autonomous Community in Izzi Local Government Area, said the endorsement was accompanied by a call for greater attention to the welfare of town union presidents. Aligwe acknowledged the developmental strides of Governor Nwifuru, particularly in infrastructure and workers’ welfare, but lamented what he described as the neglect of grassroots leaders by government officials and elected representatives. He said town union presidents had not benefited from welfare packages and empowerment programmes despite their contributions to community development and grassroots mobilization.
The community leaders further urged the state government to implement and sustain welfare provisions for town union presidents, including the payment of stipends and outstanding arrears.
