| OHANIVO communities endorse President, Gov. Nwifuru for second term
The Ebonyi South socio-cultural bloc, OHANIVO General Assembly, has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for re-election in 2027, citing inclusive leadership and fair treatment of the South East under the current administration.
The endorsement came during the 2025 Iri Ji Festival of OHANIVO General Assembly held on September 27, where stakeholders said Tinubu had broken the jinx of Igbo marginalisation in national development since the civil war.
President-General of the Assembly, Hon. Darlington Onuabuchi Okereke, said the joint endorsement reflected the “collective mind of the people of Ohaozara, Onicha, and Ivo communities” who now see themselves fully integrated into Nigeria’s development roadmap.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Works and Grand Patron of the Assembly, Sen. David Umahi, declared that Ebonyi State had rejected the “Obidient” movement and aligned fully with President Tinubu.
“In Ebonyi State, we are not Obidient people. We have been so marginalised that we are no longer Obidient,” Umahi said. “Our obedience is to the man that has given us a sense of belonging—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no Obidient person in Ebonyi. Nothing will stop Governor Francis Nwifuru’s second term because God has already endorsed it.”
Umahi called on people of the South East to rally behind Tinubu, warning against “those who darken counsel without knowledge” on social media. He stressed that the region would not repeat what he described as the “mistake of the last election.”
Acting Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Obila, who was the Special Guest of Honour, praised the solidarity of OHANIVO communities and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to spreading development across all parts of the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and CEO of Rock Results Group, Dr. Ifeanyi Okorie, called for a standing ovation in honour of President Tinubu, praising his recognition of the South East in the national development agenda.
Other dignitaries at the festival included Senator Prof. Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South), Hon. Nkemkama Kama (Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency), and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Grace Umezurike.