2027: Test Your Popularity in Opposition, Nwifuru Tells Defectors Aspirants
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State
From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has advised politicians who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections to pursue their political ambitions within their new platforms and test their popularity there.
Nwifuru made the remarks during the APC House of Representatives primaries held at the party’s state secretariat in Abakaliki.
He recalled the role allegedly played by some of the defectors during the 2023 elections, questioning the extent of their commitment and support to the APC at the time.
The governor expressed satisfaction over the growing influx of politicians from opposition parties into the APC, noting that democracy provides every politician the freedom to seek relevance and electoral validation through any political platform of their choice.
According to him, the APC leadership in the state carried out extensive consultations with party stakeholders ahead of the primaries to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and rancour-free exercise.
“As you can see, everyone is happy. We engaged in very productive consultations with our stakeholders. Several meetings were held and all contentious issues were resolved ahead of the exercise,”
“What we are doing today is to elect candidates who will fly the flag of our great party, and I strongly believe that with the support of party members and stakeholders, we will produce very competent candidates.”he said.
Speaking further on the conduct of the primaries, the governor dismissed the possibility of parallel congresses in the state, insisting that democracy requires politicians to test their strength and popularity through legitimate electoral processes.
“We have only one recognised congressional committee. In every democracy, when people want to contest elections, they are expected to come to the field and test their popularity. That is the democratic norm,”
“There is, therefore, no need for any parallel congress, and nobody will conduct any parallel congress in Ebonyi State.”Nwifuru stated.
Commenting on party defections, the governor maintained that political interests often drive such decisions, but questioned the contributions of some of those leaving the APC, particularly during the 2023 elections.
“You know this is politics, and people join political parties based on interests and aspirations. But the critical question is: what role did these individuals play in 2023? What evidence is there of their support for the APC during that period?”
“I am, however, pleased that some of them are willing to move to other parties to test their popularity. Democracy permits that. People are free to pursue their ambitions anywhere they choose, and that is exactly how democracy should function.”he added.
