Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Former Governor of Ebonyi State and Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has endorsed his successor, Governor Francis Nwifuru, for a second term in office.
The Minister said that his covenant with Mr Nwifuru and God is for the Governor to have an eight years uninterrupted governorship position in the State.
Senator Umahi made the declaration when members of Izzi Nnodo Youths Forum paid him a Christmas homage at his Umunagu, Uburu country home in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the State.
He said: “Even if God forbid and your brothers or Izzi people stand against me tomorrow, the covenant I had with Governor Nwifuru and God is complete and uninterrupted eight years and nothing would stop it.
“I fought principalities and powers alone and won; and you think I can’t do it now that I have someone by my side. Governor Nwifuru would serve Ebonyi people for the second term in office like other former governors of the State.
“I have been saying it and will keep saying it, I have not seen any better option in Izzi till now. Sorry to say this. Governor Nwifuru is humble and till the end of eight years I am not leaving him. Not now!,” Umahi said.
He commended the Izzi youths led by their National President, Chibueze Elom, for paying him such a surprise visit during the yuletide.
“Thank you for this surprise visit, and sincerely, no doubt I expected this visit but not in this magnitude. Not to talk about the fact that you left your son (Governor Francis Nwifuru) to pay me a visit today that you should be at his house celebrating with him.”
The National President of Izzi Nnodo Youths Forum, Chibueze Elom, explained that he led his members to thank Umahi for fulfilling his promise to hand over the state governorship seat to an Izzi man.
Elom pleaded with Umahi not to leave his successor, Nwifuru, halfway but to guide him always to avoid going astray in his administration.
“We are here to thank you for promising to hand over to an Izzi man and fulfilling same.”
The Youth President further pleaded with the minister to continue his good work on the projects he has started and also encouraged him to stand by his ‘son’ to achieve more.
