Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has dismissed reports that he is being controlled by his predecessor, David Umahi.
Nwifuru who dismissed the reports on Wednesday in Abakaliki, capital of the state, noted that the current Minister of Works did not even impose any conditions on him in exchange for his support during the election.
Mr Nwifuru gave the clarification during a lecture to mark his second anniversary in office.
He maintained that any actions, inactions or mistakes of his administration should be blamed on him and not on any other person.
He said: “I am logically stubborn, and Umahi knows this well. Umahi is a man whose ways are clear and has never insisted that I do things this way or that. The minister knows that if he does that, I will resist it,” he said.
The Nwifuru who was speaker for the two terms Umahi was governor noted that he learnt a lot from the former governor.
“Any shortcoming on my part rests entirely on me and not on anyone else.I could have been a better leader if Umahi actually controls me,” he said.
He commended Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi representing Ebonyi North for standing up to Mrs Oby Ezekwesili during a committee hearing on Senator Natasha Akpoti’s sexual allegations against Senate President Goodwill Akpabio.
“I truly commend Sen. Onyekachi Nwebonyi for standing his ground when a former female minister called him a hooligan at a Senate hearing.
“The woman did that because Nwebonyi is from Ebonyi and could not have done so if he were from Kano, Anambra or any other state.
“Nwebonyi’s defence was not only for himself but the entire state, as people should not look down on us anymore,” he said.
He thanked the guest lecturer, Prof Eugene Nweke and stakeholders who spoke on the occasion for their incisive admonitions, pledging to address all issues raised.
“The theme of the lecture, “Beyond celebration, navigating public expectation and developmental demands in the next two years,” is a new task given to my administration,” he said.
Former Senate President Pius Anyim commended the governor for his strides within two years and urged him not to be distracted in implementing his policies.
Mr Anyim, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said that reclaiming the Abakaliki city master plan was a bold move by the governor that should be supported by all.
The first Executive Governor of the state, Sam Egwu, commended Mr Nwifuru for his interventions in education, which he said was the hallmark of his own tenure as governor.
Prof. Nweke, the guest lecturer, urged the governor to sustain and improve on indices which would enhance the people’s well-being and generally develop the state.
