.Cites considerations for diversity, inclusive leadership
The communities of Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo in Ebonyi South of Nigeria under the auspices of OHANIVO General Assembly, on Sunday , unanimously adopted President Bola Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru for second term, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The group said the adoption is in appreciation of their achievements in office and for giving the entire “South East a pride of place in the development roadmap.”
The communities also noted that President Tinubu has broken the jinx of Igbo marginalisation in the trajectory of development and nation-building in Nigeria since the civil war.
Orji Uche Orji, special adviser to Dave Umahi, minister of Works, in a statement in Abuja, on Sunday, said the communities adopted the president and the governor for second term during this year’s annual iriji festival to celebrate the emergence of the new yam.
“The President has renewed the hope of Nigerians for a united and egalitarian future through his considerations for diversity and inclusive leadership and therefore earns their total support come 2027 presidential election.”
The communities expressed their unwavering commitment to the re-election of the Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for being consistently intentional in delivering in the People’s Charter of Needs mantra of his administration, which they said had deepened the cause of inclusive development across Ebonyi State.
“Presenting his welcome remarks during the 2025 Iri Ji Festival of OHANIVO General Assembly held on 27th September 2025, the President-General of the Assembly,Hon Darlington Onuabuchi Okereke said that the statements of endorsement to the President of Nigeria and the Governor of Ebonyi by OHANIVO communities were a reflection of the collective minds of the people of OHANIVO communities.”
Dave Umahi, minister of Works, who is also the grand patron of OHANIVO General Assembly, thanked the Ebonyi communities for recognising the inclusive development of the Renewed Hope administration of President Tinubu across the six Geo-Political Zones and that of Governor Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
Umahi called on Ndigbo and all inhabitants of South East to collectively stand to be counted in the support and solidarity to President Tinubu and Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru come 2027.
“Let me use the opportunity to appreciate deeply our dear President, and I am addressing the South East people. I am addressing some of those who are darkening counsel without knowledge.
“I am addressing those who do not understand what is going on in South East. I am addressing those who have occupied social media.
“I have told them that in Ebony State, we are not obidient people. We have been so marginalised that we are no longer obidient. But our obedience is in the man that has given us a sense of belonging, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“There is no obidient person in Ebonyi State. What we have is to return the good things President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for South East and for Ebonyi State when the time comes”
Umahi said Ebonyi people will not be deceived again, adding that ” the last election was a mistake, but we have come to be wiser. We want to be a part of a united Nigeria. We want to be treated fairly. We want to be counted, and the President is doing that. So we have no reason not to support him.
Umahi who also expressed his support for Governor Francis Nwifuru, said, ” if you want to struggle against Governor Nwifuru, you have to do it on social media because you will not come here to reap where you did not sow and nothing will stop his second term because God has already endorsed it.”
The Acting Governor of Ebonyi, Patricia Obila, who was also the Special Guest of Honour in the event, praised the collective resilience and sense of solidarity of OHANIVO communities and assured them of the State government’s commitment in deepening development in all the communities of Ebonyi State.
“She thanked the Honourable Minister of Works for making the country proud through the compassionate delivery of transformative road infrastructure desired to boost the economy of Nigeria”
In his remarks, Ifeanyo Okorie, Chairman of the occasion and CEO of Rock Results Group Nigeria Ltd, called for a standing and resounding ovation in honour of the President of Nigeria for giving South East more prominence in the development roadmap of Nigeria.
He commended Umahi for making his people proud in all his leadership endeavours. He urged the people of OHANIVO to continue to support the economic policies and political aspirations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that more dividends of democracy for South East were underway as we continue to support him.
“Prominent stakeholders from OHANIVO who attended the 2025 Iri Ji festival included: the Senator representing Ebonyi South in the Senate,Senator Prof. Anthony Okorie Ani, the member representing Ohaozara/ Onicha/ Ivo Federal Constituency,Hon. Nkemkama Kama,Secretary to the State Government,Prof. Grace Umezurike, among others.”
