Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Francis Ori, has explained that unity among youths in Uburu led to the unanimous endorsement of Governor Francis Nwifuru and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
Ori described the development as historic, noting that it reflects growing youth solidarity and political stability in the area.
Uburu, the hometown of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, is one of the three major towns in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Speaking in an interview, the commissioner said Uburu comprises four autonomous communities whose youths previously operated under different platforms.
“However, driven by shared interests and appreciation of the governor’s leadership, the rival youth groups resolved their differences and collapsed into a single body known as the Uburu Youth Front,” he said.
According to him, the decision was motivated by Governor Nwifuru’s inclusive and youth-friendly governance, which has resulted in the appointment of many Uburu youths as commissioners, senior special assistants, special advisers, and board members.
“The governor is one of us. He has treated Uburu youths as his own, and we felt the best way to appreciate him was to speak with one voice,” Ori said.
He explained that the renewed unity culminated in a solidarity road-work exercise and a formal endorsement of Governor Nwifuru for a second term.
The commissioner added that the youths also resolved to support President Tinubu for re-election alongside the Ebonyi governor.
Ori said the endorsement of the president was informed by appreciation for the appointment of Senator Umahi as Minister of Works.
He noted that the minister, working under President Tinubu’s administration, has facilitated massive infrastructural development in Ebonyi State and across the South-East.
“We are a very grateful people, and the only way to show our appreciation to the president is to give him our votes,” he said.
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, Ori expressed confidence that Governor Nwifuru would secure a landslide victory, citing peace, unity, and visible developmental achievements across the state.
He dismissed fears of strong opposition, arguing that the absence of a cohesive opposition and the prevailing unity among stakeholders give the governor a clear advantage.
“This is the first time Ebonyi State is enjoying this level of peace. The governor has united communities and stakeholders. There is no room for divisive politics again,” he stated.
The commissioner also highlighted humanitarian interventions through his Orimatic Care Foundation, which recently organised a large-scale Christmas celebration for vulnerable widows across the four Uburu autonomous communities.
He said the foundation, established in 2017, recently distributed rice, wrappers, cash gifts, and other relief items to over 600 vulnerable widows in Ebonyi State.
“To ensure fairness, we asked the presidents-general of the communities to select 150 widows from each community, ensuring that beneficiaries were genuinely in need,” he explained.
Ori added that the foundation currently sponsors 36 university students—17 of whom have graduated in professional courses such as medicine, engineering, and law—as well as over 100 pupils in primary and secondary schools.
He reaffirmed his commitment to youth empowerment, social welfare, and unity, adding that the coming years would witness increased investments in education, humanitarian services, and community development.
