Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has firmly denied claims that he is under the influence or political control of his predecessor, Senator David Umahi, dismissing the reports as unfounded and misleading.

He affirmed that full responsibility for the actions, oversights, or missteps of his administration rests solely with him, and no other individual should be held accountable.

He said: “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,” he said.

Nwifuru, who was Speaker for the two terms when Umahi was Governor, noted that  he learnt a lot from the former governor.

“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 said.

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He applauded Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) for his firm stance during a committee hearing, where he challenged Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili over her comments on the sexual misconduct allegations leveled by Senator Natasha Akpoti against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Meanwhile, former Senate President and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, praised the Governor for his achievements within just two years in office. He urged the administration to remain focused and undeterred in the pursuit of its policy agenda.

Anyim particularly lauded the Governor’s decision to restore the Abakaliki city master plan, describing it as a courageous and necessary step toward urban renewal—one that deserves the full backing of stakeholders across the state.