By Victor Nwegede
Governor Francis Nwifuru has reaffirmed support for the Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Barrister Onyekachi Nwebonyi and warned the beneficiaries of his empowerment programmes not to work against him in 2027, the electioneering year.
Nwifuru gave the warning yesterday during the thanksgiving service and empowerment programme of Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, at Saint Michael Parish, Catholic Church in Isophumini Mbeke Ishieke community in Ebonyi local government area of the state.
The governor, who flagged off the distribution of the empowerment items, including over 100 motorcycles, 20 minibuses, 20 tricycles, and 200 grinding machines, with cash gifts, cautioned the beneficiaries against using them to witch hunt their benefactor, Senator Nwebonyi, during the electioneering period.
He declared that the empowerment items would crash if the beneficiaries used them for anti-party activities in the state.
He commended Senator Nwebonyi for his effective representation in the National Assembly, pointing out that his emergence as the Ebonyi North Senator and Senate Deputy Chief Whip of the Red Chambers has been bringing succour to his constituents.
"Senator Nwebonyi has done creditably well in terms of empowerment and I will not like anybody to use any of his empowerment items to fight him, for those of you who may decide to work for his opponents in 2027.
”If you know that you will use these motorcycles, keke (tricycles) and the minibuses for anti-party activities, you should not come and collect any of them; otherwise, the items will crash.
“I congratulate the beneficiaries and urge you to use the items judiciously for the benefit of humanity,” Nwifuru stated.
Earlier, Senator Nwebonyi commended the governor for his overwhelming support during the 2023 elections, which, according to him, led to his emergence as the Red Chamber lawmaker.
He said the event was organized to appreciate God and his constituents for supporting him always in the office.
Nwebonyi recalled that he had earlier distributed over 110 motorcycles and 10 cars to his constituents for having made his Senatorial race a reality in 2023.
He added: "Two months later, we came with palliatives, including rice and beans, among others, which were distributed to the Ebonyi North Senatorial people to cushion the hardship effects orchestrated by the fuel subsidy removal.
"2 months after, I distributed farm inputs to 8,000 farmers from Ebonyi North Senatorial District, of which they have utilized them well and now become millionaires.
"As I speak to you, your Excellency I have 10km of concrete roads spread across the 4 local government areas of Ebonyi North Senatorial zone. The one of Abakaliki, 1.5km, is ongoing, and 6.5km is ongoing in Ebonyi local government area.
"By next week, your Excellency, I will be flagging off a 10km road in Izzi local government area. After that, your Excellency, I will be heading for Ohaukwu local government area to flag off a 12km road in the area.
"Today, Your Excellency before you, I have 20 minibuses, 20 Keke (tricycles), 120 motorcycles, and 200 grinding machines to be distributed to our party faithful and all the indigent members of this Senatorial District. What is my target? It's to help them to create wealth, and on this note, none of the beneficiaries are expected to sell any of the empowerment items.
"Also, N200,000 will be given to each of the 200 selected indigent women across the Ebonyi Senatorial zone today as part of this empowerment programme."
