Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru has firmly dismissed claims that he is under the control of his predecessor, David Umahi. Speaking at a lecture to celebrate his second anniversary in office, Nwifuru addressed the reports in Abakaliki on Wednesday, emphasizing that Umahi did not impose any conditions on him during his election campaign.
“I am logically stubborn, and Umahi knows this well. Umahi is a man whose ways are clear and has never insisted that I do things this way or that. The minister knows that if he does that, I will resist it,” Nwifuru stated.
Reflecting on his time as Speaker during Umahi’s tenure as Governor, Nwifuru acknowledged the lessons learned from his predecessor but stressed that the responsibility for his administration’s successes and shortcomings rests solely on his shoulders. “Any shortcoming on my part rests entirely on me and not on anyone else. I could have been a better leader if Umahi actually controls me,” he noted.
In another part of his address, Nwifuru commended Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) for bravely confronting Mrs. Oby Ezekwesiri during a committee hearing related to Senator Natasha Akpoti’s sexual allegations against Senate President Goodwill Akpabio.
Former Senate President Pius Anyim also praised Nwifuru for his accomplishments over the past two years. As a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim urged the Governor to remain focused on implementing his policies, highlighting the importance of reclaiming the Abakaliki city master plan as a significant and commendable initiative that warrants support from all stakeholders.