The Ebonyi State chapters of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) have endorsed Governor Francis Nwifuru for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The two groups announced their support for the governor on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during separate events in Abakaliki, citing his administration’s interventions in pension payments, entrepreneurship development and infrastructure.
However, while commending the governor’s achievements, NASME called for urgent policy reforms to address the challenges confronting businesses and stimulate economic growth in Ebonyi State.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, represented by his deputy, Abdulahi Onuh, praised Governor Nwifuru for reportedly clearing outstanding pension and gratuity arrears owed to retired workers from 1996 to date.
Abumisi described the payment of the accumulated arrears as a significant achievement, noting that the governor had demonstrated commitment to the welfare of pensioners.
He made the remarks during an award presentation in which Nwifuru was recognised as the most pensioner-friendly governor.
According to him, the administration’s decision to extend the state health insurance scheme to retired workers would further improve their welfare.
He urged pensioners across Ebonyi State to reciprocate the governor’s efforts by voting for him in the 2027 governorship election.
Similarly, the Ebonyi State NUP Chairman, Comrade Anna Ibiam, said retired workers had endured years of unpaid pensions and gratuities before the current administration addressed the backlog.
Ibiam said the state council had unanimously resolved to honour and endorse Nwifuru for a second term.
The Executive Secretary of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Comrade Emeka Nwonu, also commended the pensioners for recognising the governor’s interventions and encouraged them to support his re-election bid.
Responding through the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Grace Umezuruike, Governor Nwifuru appreciated the pensioners for the recognition and urged them to translate their endorsement into votes during the 2027 election.
He assured that his administration would sustain efforts to improve the welfare of workers and retirees.
In a separate development, the Ebonyi State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises endorsed Nwifuru for a second term but urged his administration to introduce policies that would make the state more attractive to entrepreneurs and investors.
The association made its position known during an endorsement and advocacy visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Secretariat in Abakaliki, where its chairman, Mr Joseph Erishi, presented an endorsement certificate to the party leadership for onward transmission to the governor.
While describing Nwifuru as an MSME-friendly governor, Erishi called for the introduction of single-digit interest loans, tax reforms and other incentives to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He identified multiple taxation, difficulties in acquiring land, inadequate electricity supply and insecurity as some of the major challenges limiting business operations in Ebonyi State.
The association also raised concerns over the appointment of individuals without relevant industrial experience to ministries, departments and agencies responsible for industry-related matters.
Erishi said addressing these challenges was necessary to create a sustainable business environment and accelerate industrialisation.
He commended the governor’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda, particularly its focus on entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, industrial development and economic diversification.
The NASME chairman also highlighted the establishment of the Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (EBSMEDA), which received the governor’s assent on June 27, 2023, barely a month after he assumed office.
Other projects he cited included the Ebonyi Pipe Industry, hatchery project and scholarship programmes.
According to Erishi, supporting MSMEs would strengthen the state’s economy, improve internally generated revenue and create opportunities for businesses to expand.
He urged the APC leadership to prevail on the state government to implement policies that would improve access to financing, reduce the cost of doing business and encourage private-sector investment.
Also speaking, the Ebonyi State APC Deputy Chairman, South, Mr Nasir Ernest Nwaze, commended NASME for supporting the administration’s entrepreneurship and industrialisation agenda.
He encouraged members of the association to mobilise young entrepreneurs and other business stakeholders towards securing Nwifuru’s re-election and the electoral success of APC candidates in 2027.
The association reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate with the APC-led government to promote entrepreneurship, investment and industrial growth in Ebonyi State.
The endorsements add the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the business community to the groups publicly declaring support for Nwifuru ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
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