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Town Union Presidents from communities across Ebonyi North Senatorial District have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi for the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was announced on Tuesday during a gathering of Town Union Presidents held at Amagu, the ancestral community of the Izhi-speaking people in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the State President of the Association of Town Union Presidents and President-General of Amagu Autonomous Community, Chief Augustine Akpu, said the decision followed extensive consultations among Town Union leaders across the district.
Akpu stated that the leaders assessed the performances of Governor Nwifuru and Senator Nwebonyi before arriving at their decision, citing achievements in infrastructure development, youth empowerment programmes, and scholarship awards to Ebonyi indigenes.
He described Governor Nwifuru’s performance as commendable and praised Senator Nwebonyi for what he termed effective representation and impactful constituency projects.
According to him, the endorsement reflects the confidence of grassroots leaders in the APC-led administrations at the federal and state levels.
While expressing support for the trio, Akpu urged elected officials to sustain efforts in youth empowerment, educational support, and community development.
“We expect more empowerment programmes for youths, scholarships for our sons and daughters, and greater attention to the welfare of the people,” he said.
He also advised politicians who were unsuccessful in their political ambitions to remain patient and continue contributing to peace and development in the state.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Association, Deacon Elijah Ituma, underscored the critical role of Town Union leaders in grassroots administration and conflict resolution.
Ituma, a retired Permanent Secretary and President-General of Okposi Ehuku Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, described Town Union Presidents as key stakeholders in maintaining peace and stability at the community level.
He called on political office holders and government officials to strengthen engagement with grassroots leaders to enhance governance and development initiatives.
Similarly, the President-General of Alioma Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Monday Eze, advocated greater involvement of Town Union Presidents in the administration of the state.
He argued that government policies and programmes would yield better results if community leaders were actively engaged in their implementation.
Eze noted that despite their strategic position as grassroots mobilisers, Town Union Presidents had remained largely sidelined and appealed to the state government to integrate them more effectively into governance structures beyond election periods.
On his part, the President-General of Mbeke-Ishieke Autonomous Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area, Prince Sunday Ogboso, expressed support for President Tinubu, Governor Nwifuru, and Senator Nwebonyi, citing ongoing development projects and infrastructural improvements in the area.
He said the achievements recorded by the APC administrations informed the decision of the Town Union leaders to back their re-election bids.
Also addressing journalists, the President-General of Ndieze Enyim Autonomous Community in Izzi Local Government Area, Dr. Austin Ezeora Aligwe, said the endorsement was accompanied by a call for improved welfare for Town Union Presidents.
Aligwe acknowledged Governor Nwifuru’s developmental strides, particularly in infrastructure and workers’ welfare, but expressed concern over what he described as the neglect of grassroots leaders by some government officials and elected representatives.
He noted that many Town Union Presidents had not benefited from welfare packages and empowerment programmes despite their contributions to community development and grassroots mobilisation.
The leaders further urged the state government to sustain welfare provisions for Town Union Presidents, including stipends and the payment of outstanding arrears.
Reaffirming their support for the APC and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, the Town Union leaders pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at promoting peace, unity, and sustainable development across Ebonyi State.