Polycarp Sola


The members of the Ebonyi State Pioneer Councilors Forum from 1999 to 2022 have hailed the Nigerian judiciary, following the Supreme Court judgment that upheld the election victory of the Ebonyi State Governor, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, as flawless.

The chairman of the forum, Hon. Maxwell Nwali, who commended the judiciary on Wednesday in an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, expressed gratitude to God for the victory and described Governor Nwifuru as having the intention to improve the livelihood of the masses.

"We are grateful to God for the victory of His Excellency, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the man after the hearts of the masses, the man whom God is using to wipe our tears.

"The verdict of the Supreme Court is not just a justice well delivered, but a justice well served to the entire people of Ebonyi State, and we wish to salute the judiciary for standing to the test of time and renewing the hope of the common man." Nwali said.

He further explained that the apex Court judgment would enable the Governor to focus on delivering quality leadership to the people, a duty which he was voted to do, and commended his achievements over the past seven months of his administration.

"Our governor is doing right; from the inception of his administration, which is barely seven months old, he has outperformed his electioneering promises.

"He has not wasted time to start working; he approved the payment of the gratuities of the retirees from 1996 to 2021, a thing that was difficult for his predecessors to do, which has resurrected a lot of people.".

Nwali, while expressing confidence that Governor Nwifuru would ensure the wellbeing of the masses, noted his achievements in the areas of worker welfare, education, health, and employment, among others.

"He has made moves to improve our agricultural input, and he is currently working to revamp our moribond industries, such as the Ebonyi pipe production company, the Ezamgbo building materials, and the water sector. Water is now running in the state, and he has promised to do more." He said.

The forum chairman reiterated his members commitments to continue supporting the governor's administration's goals and maintain a good relationship as it was, even before the election.

Lending their voices, the secretary of the forum, Hon. Ali Daniel Oguzuru, and the director of media, Hon. David Uka, commended the governor for initiating peace across the crisis-affected areas in the state since the inception of his administration and pledged to work with the government to support the development of the state through healthy partnerships.