Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has urged the people of Onicha clan to resist selfish political interests and vote for unity and continuity in the 2027 general elections to sustain peace and development in the state.

Nwifuru gave the charge on Wednesday while receiving a solidarity delegation from Onicha clan in Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone at the Government House, Abakaliki.

The delegation came to formally endorse the Governor for a second term and appreciate his administration’s interventions in their area.

Addressing the stakeholders, the Governor warned against allowing the personal ambition of an individual to derail the collective progress of their communities.

“You must remain united, supportive and collaborative in pursuit of your common interests and goal,” Nwifuru said. “Do not allow the personal political interest of an individual to jeopardize the collective interest and development of your communities.”

He stressed that power rotation among Ebonyi’s three senatorial zones has been built on equity, fairness and justice, and urged Onicha people to uphold the zoning principle in 2027 for sustained harmony.

In return, the Governor promised more dividends of democracy: “We will do more for your people. We will award more projects and hasten the completion of ongoing ones.”

Leading the delegation, President-General of Onicha Community, Chief Ogbonnaya Eze, said they came to express gratitude for the Governor’s numerous appointments and projects in Onicha LGA.

He listed benefits to include: appointment of Onicha sons and daughters as Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Special Assistants; construction of 26 classroom blocks in Onicha Central School; ongoing 16km Amanato-Isu road; and inclusion of Onicha youths in state foreign and local scholarships.

Other speakers: Chief Okike Onu for Traditional Rulers, Elder Chijioke Ikwuagwu for Elders Council, Mrs Uzoma Nwachukwu for Women, and Comrade Emmanuel Ogbu for Youths – unanimously adopted Nwifuru as the clan’s sole governorship candidate for 2027.

“We are a grateful people,” Eze said. “It is in appreciation of your good works in Onicha Igboeze clan that we will vote massively for you. All the polling units in our clan will be delivered to you in 2027 and all APC candidates.”

The group also pledged to work for the victory of all APC candidates in the LGA.

Onicha clan, comprising Onicha Igboeze and Igboeze Onicha autonomous communities, is the ancestral home of Onicha LGA. Other major communities in the LGA are Isu, Oshiri, Ishinkwo, Ukawu and Abaomege.

Isu community is the hometown of PDP 2027 governorship hopeful, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, popularly known as Anyichuks, who also contested against Nwifuru in 2023.

The delegation comprised representatives of the 26 villages and council wards of Onicha Igboeze and Igboeze Onicha, traditional prime ministers, town union executives, women and youth leaders.