2027: Ezzagu Zone Demands Inclusion In Power Sharing, Zoning formula
The people of the old Ezzagu Zone in Ishielu Local Government area of Ebonyi state have appealed to stakeholders and leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress to remember the zone in the zoning of elective positions in the 2027 general election.
The people agitated that the zone had been marginalized and excluded in all zoning arrangements for over decade.
A frontline journalist and National Convener of Turn By Turn Initiatives, Comrade Ben Nworie noted with dismay that many of their people had aspired for various elective positions, especially the position of Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency in the 2023 election, which was keenly contested by the then candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Barrister Emmanuel Nwite, but he was eventually schemed out during the rerun in favour of the Incumbent, Hon. Joseph Nwobasi of the then APGA.
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He advocated that since the incumbent has spent four years in addition to the 8 years of his predecessor, Hon. Anayo Nwonu, it was right and just for the position to be shifted to Ishielu Local Government and further microzoned to Ezzagu.
“In agitations for equity for Ezzagu zone, let me also state that I, Comrade Ben Nworie also aspired for the chairmanship position of Ishielu Local Government area for the August 2026 council election, but it was later retained in Ezillo notwithstanding the 2023 agreement that the chairmanship position would be shifted to Ezzagu zone in 2026”, he stated.
He noted that 2027 has presented another opportunity to accommodate the people of Ezza zone, who are currently the only zone in Ishielu Local Government area that is not occupying any elective position.
“By all standards and considerations, the position of Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency should be shifted to Ezzagu Zone. It’s by this doing that the people will feel sense of belonging, equity, justice and fair play”.
“Ishielu Local Government area comprises of four geopolitical zones, namely: Ezzagu, Ori-Agba, Igbo Ato and Igbo Ano zones”.
“For the House of Representatives position: Hon. Sunny Onwe from Igbo Ato Zone of Ishielu of Local Government Area: 1999 to 2003. Igbo Eto comprises Ezillo, Iyonu and Nkalagu. He is precisely from Ezillo”.
“Hon. Jonathan Ikechukwu Eze from Igbo Ano Zone of Ishielu Local Government Area: 2003 to 2007. Igbo Ano comprises of Umuhali, Amezu, Obegu and Nkalaha. He is precisely from Nkalaha”.
“Hon. Peter Edeh from Ori Agba Zone of Ishielu Local Government Area: 2011 to 2015. Ori Agba Zone comprises Ntezi, Okpoto, Ohuofia and Agba. He is precisely from Agba”.
“Ezzagu Zone is the only Zone in Ishielu Local Government Area which has not had a bite at the House of Representatives since the inception of the current 4th Republic”.
“Similarly, it does not also hold any elective position currently. The other three zones currently hold elective positions”.
“For instance, Igbo Ato Zone through Hon. Mrs. Peace Ifeoma Agwu currently holds the chairmanship position of the Local Government Area. Igbo Ano through Hon. Henry Sunday Eze currently represents Ishielu North State Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Ori Agba Zone through Hon. Lucas Arinze Chukwu currently represents Ishielu South State Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
“Therefore equity and fairness demands that if House of Representatives slot of Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency is zoned to Ishielu Local Government Area, it should be micro zoned to Ezzagu Zone.
The people also reiterated their total support for the present administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, emphasizing that his second term bid would be fully supported and defended.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, APRIL 23RD 2026)
