I Joined APC Because Governor Nwifuru Has United Stakeholders-Hon. Nwobasi

By Alex Odeh

The federal lawmaker representing Ishielu/Ezza North in the house of Representatives, Hon. Joseph Nwobasi, has disclosed that his decision to leave the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and join the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) was informed by the gesture of Governor Francis Nwifuru to run an all inclusive governance

Hon. Nwobasi, who stated this during an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, said that on assumption of office, Governor Francis Nwifuru united all the stakeholders of the state irrespective of political affiliations.

According to him, the first thing Governor Francis Nwifuru did, was to ensure peace across the state, adding that he also paid backlog of pension and gratuities runing into billions of naira to civil servants.

The lawmaker said, “One is that the performance of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Right Honourable Prince Builder Francis Ogbonna when he assumed office was to ensure that he maintained peace across the state. He moved into action to settle areas where they are crisis and make sure he restores peace.

“Two, he also brought together all the stakeholders of Ebonyi State, irrespective of the party you belong to. He paid the pension and gratuity arrears of civil servants. So, this is what attracted me. I said, not as if I had remained in APGA and contest for my second term, that I would not win. No. It is not like that.

“But because of what he’s doing, so I felt it would be more better if we are together. That’s why I said, let me join APC, so that we can at any time put things together and plan together on how to move Ebonyi forward”, he adduced.

He recounted his achievements as the lawmaker representing Ishielu/Ezza North federal constituency to include, but not limited to, the award of scholarship to university students, distribution of cars, sewing machines, grinding machines, vending machines and empowerment of widows.

He said, “If I should begin to recount my achievements at the National Assembly, I think there are too numerous to mention, but let me mention but few. I’ve done empowerment, which I think as far Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency is concerned, is one of its kind.

“Empowerment, which includes motorcycles, vending machines, cars, sewing machines, and many other items, which I think His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State was the one who came and declared the empowerment open.

‘The scholarship is made from year one till they will graduate, depending on the course of their choice. This scholarship started in 2024. I’ve given the widows so many helping hand. I’ve also helped some to establish business and their shops are booming now”, he disclosed.

He assured he has plans to further empower his people in the subsequent years.

In terms of capital projects implementation, Hon. Nwobasi said that he has built and furnished six classs rooms block, on going construction of Amuzu-Izo road which, he said would soon be asphalted .

‘Then in terms of projects, I have also attracted a six classrooms block, which has been completed, which the desk has been completed. It was sited at the community secondary school, Oshiegbe.

“Then in terms of infrastructures also, I think I have the ongoing Amuzu Izzo Road, which is under construction.It’s ongoing. I think they’ve done the gutter. So in no distant time now, they will come for the asphalt”, he said.

Nwobasi further commended President Bola Tinubu for the economic policy he has rolled out which has revamped economy, improved security

He explained that President Bola Tinubu has addressed the marginalisation outcry by the people of the Southeast by way of appointment of the people of Southeast into key government positions, like the Minister of works, the inclusion of Southeast in the coastal highways and the fixing of numerous federal road, stating that the people of Southeast are not marginalised under President Bola Tinubu.

“But as soon as President Bola Ahmed came in, in terms of appointment, he considered Southeast, giving Southeast the minister of works, which is first in history, which is one of the major ministers.

“Then in terms of infrastructure, he has awarded roads, like this coastal road, he has awarded it in Southeast, fixing some other federal roads in the Southeast. So, I don’t think the government of Bola Ahmed is marginalising the Southeast, as far as I’m concerned”, he stated.