Ebonyi Leaders Endorse Nwifuru, Divided Over Tinubu Re-election
Onyeka Nnabu
The Ebonyi State Leaders and other stakeholders have endorsed Governor Francis Nwifuru for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
They made the endorsement during Ebonyi State stakeholders Political Summit held in Abakaliki, the State capital
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However, the stakeholders were divided on the second term bid of President Bola Tinubu when the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi started eulogizing the performances of the President in the country especially in the state.
In a reaction, a former Governor of the state and Chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Sam Egwu, who was the chairman of the Summit, clarified that the event was apolitical and not convened to endorse the second term of President Bola Tinubu.
Egwu noted that though Umahi has extolled the achievemenst of the President, the event was not designated for that, because other stakeholders also have reasons to extoll other Presidential candidates.
However, in a smart move when called to speak before the adoption of the communiqué, the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi announced and moved a motion for the adoption of President Tinubu, a development that rattled Ex-governor Egwu and other opposition leaders in the event.
A strong supporter of Seyi Makinde and former South East National Vice chairman of the PDP, Chief Ali Odefa said he was not part of President Tinubu’s adoption.
The summit, which brought together political leaders and stakeholders from the three senatorial zones and 13 local government areas of the state, was held under the theme, “Orderly and Peaceful Political Transition in Ebonyi State: The Way Forward.”
Among those who attended were the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Sam Egwu; former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim; former governor Martin Elechi; former governor and Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi; and Nwifuru, who attended as Special Guest of Honour.
The stakeholders deliberated on the future of the state, with particular emphasis on political stability, zoning, equity, continuity in governance and the need for a peaceful transition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a communiqué issued and read by the Senior Special Assistant to President on South East Engagement, Barr. Chioma Nweze at the end of the summit, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to peace, unity and political stability, describing them as essential to the continued development of Ebonyi.
They called on political leaders, public office holders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and citizens to protect the state’s unity, irrespective of political affiliation and other differences.
The summit urged political parties, aspirants and their supporters to conduct their activities with restraint and mutual respect, while rejecting inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation, political violence and other actions capable of disrupting public order.
“The summit acknowledged the peaceful transfer of political leadership among the three senatorial zones since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1999. It noted that the administrations of successive governors—Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu of Ebonyi North, Chief Martin Nwancho Elechi of Ebonyi Central and Senator David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi South—each served two four-year terms”.
“The summit recognised that continuity, mutual accommodation and respect for established political understandings have contributed to the State’s stability. It therefore encouraged political leaders and stakeholders to sustain a culture of dialogue, fairness and responsible political engagement in addressing questions relating to succession and the future leadership of the State”.
“The summit acknowledged the long-standing practice of senatorial rotation in the distribution of the governorship of Ebonyi State and the role this arrangement has played in promoting a sense of inclusion among the three senatorial zones”.
“In the interest of equity, fairness, mutual trust and the preservation of peaceful coexistence, the summit expressed support for the continuation of the established zoning understanding in the consideration of the 2027 governorship succession”.
“Accordingly, the summit resolved that Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone should be allowed to complete the governorship in the 2027 electoral cycle, in keeping with the rotation principle recognised by the participants and the objective of equitable political inclusion”.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 21st, 2026
