By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The National Leadership of the Ebonyi State University Alumni Association (EBSUAA) has adopted Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru as its sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State.
The association said its decision was based on the governor’s interventions in Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and what it described as his broader achievements across the state.
The endorsement was made during a ceremony in Abakaliki, where members of the association commended the Nwifuru administration for what they described as its people-oriented approach to governance.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of EBSU, Prof. Michael Awoke, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Ike Elechi, commended the governor for his support for the institution.
Elechi said the administration had increased the university’s subvention from N119 million and provided two buses to address transportation challenges faced by staff and students.
He also said the governor had supported the university in accessing interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), with about 62 academic staff receiving research grants of at least N2 million each in the previous year.
According to him, nearly 95 academic staff were expected to benefit from the programme this year.
He said the interventions were part of efforts to restore the dignity of EBSU and improve the institution’s capacity to support teaching and research.
Speaking on behalf of the alumni association, its National President, Sunday Nwangele, said the endorsement was a show of appreciation for the governor’s contributions to the university and the state.
“There’s no doubt that we’re all witnessing a new era in governance in Ebonyi State, courtesy of the people-oriented administration of Governor Nwifuru,” Nwangele said.
He added that the governor had “changed the ugly leadership narrative of Ebonyi State University.”
The motion to adopt Nwifuru as the association’s sole candidate was moved by a former National President of EBSUAA, Dr. Kenneth Ereke, and seconded by Dr. Austin Aligwe.
The motion was subjected to a voice vote by the President-General and was unanimously adopted by members.
Ereke said the decision was largely influenced by the governor’s performance at the university, which he described as the association’s “primary constituency.”
He said the association would go beyond the endorsement by mobilising its members within and outside Ebonyi State to support Nwifuru’s re-election bid.
Also speaking,the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the association, Alhaji Dr. Ernest Nasir, said Nwifuru had not disappointed the alumni association, recalling that members had adopted him during the 2023 political season.
Nasir said the governor moved into action after assuming office and demonstrated commitment to EBSU, adding that his interventions showed that the university was “dear to his heart.”
He said, “If the governor has done well, then he should go twice,” urging members to support Nwifuru’s second-term bid.
The event also featured a motion of support for the Vice Chancellor for his contribution to the growth of the university. The motion was moved by Dr. Christian Nwofoke and seconded by Elder Mrs. Victoria Ogiji.
Representatives of staff unions, including SSANU, NASU and NAT, were also present at the gathering.
Receiving the endorsement on behalf of Governor Nwifuru, the Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Ben Uruchi Odo, thanked the alumni association for the honour.
Odo said the governor was “very indebted” to the association and assured its members that a second term would not be “business as usual.”
He appealed to the alumni to continue to support the administration with their prayers and patience.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of a certificate of endorsement to Governor Nwifuru by the President-General of EBSUAA, Sunday Nwangele, on behalf of the association.