Odita Sunday 
Nnenna Mba- Abakaliki
Stakeholders in the Abakaliki Rice Mill Industry have unanimously adopted Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru as their sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election, citing what they described as his transformational leadership, restoration of peace, and direct interventions in the rice processing sector.
The endorsement was made during a gathering of rice millers, traders and stakeholders of the association in Abakaliki on Wednesday.
Speaking after moving the motion for the adoption, the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill Industry, Chief Obeji Linus Nkwuda, said the decision was informed by Governor Nwifuru’s people-oriented policies and visible developmental strides since assuming office.
According to him, the governor has fulfilled his promise of implementing the People’s Charter of Needs through practical interventions that have positively impacted the rice mill industry.
“Governor Nwifuru is the first governor to decisively intervene in the affairs of Abakaliki Rice Mill and restore lasting peace. Before now, leadership crises and power tussles were common, but today we conducted our second tenure election peacefully without any form of government interference, the first of its kind since the establishment of this industry,” he said.
Nkwuda noted that the governor’s administration has repositioned the rice mill through infrastructural upgrades, mechanised farming support, provision of modern milling machines, solar-powered facilities, and the introduction of colour sorting technology that has improved the quality of Abakaliki rice to international standards.
He further disclosed that through the state government’s partnership with development agencies such as IFAD, rice millers have benefitted from farm inputs and other critical infrastructure.
Seconding the motion, the Coordinator of Echiaba Development Centre and member of the Abakaliki Rice Mill Association, Prince Daniel Friday Oketa, described Governor Nwifuru as a leader who understands the importance of industrial development.
“If I begin to list all the reasons for supporting this endorsement, we may not leave here today.
The governor brought peace to Ebonyi and particularly to the rice mill. Unlike past administrations that made threats about relocating the rice mill, Governor Nwifuru recognized its economic importance and chose to strengthen it. That is why he deserves a second term,” Oketa stated.
Also speaking, the Women Leader of Abakaliki Rice Mill, Mrs Ann Muosanya, declared the total support of women in the industry for the governor’s re-election bid.
“On behalf of the women in the rice mill, we are endorsing Governor Nwifuru for a second tenure. He has done well for us by restoring peace and appointing a capable chairman.
The harassment and unrest we experienced in the past have disappeared,” she said.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Nkaliki Echara Unuhu Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Sunday Oketa, commended the governor for his commitment to peace, rural development and support for traditional institutions.
“Governor Nwifuru has shown us love and made us proud. He has restored peace across the state and carried traditional rulers along. His achievements in road construction, support for royal fathers and development of the rice mill sector have earned him our support,” the monarch said.
The royal father added that the people of the area are committed to supporting both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru in the 2027 general elections.
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