Ebonyi Political Summit Fails to Endorse Tinubu’s Re-Election, Backs Nwifuru for 2027

From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

Political leaders and major stakeholders from different political parties, senatorial districts, local government areas and sectors of public life in Ebonyi State on Tuesday failed to endorse the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

However, the summit, which brought together prominent political figures and stakeholders across the state, endorsed the continuation of the governorship zoning arrangement among the three senatorial districts and backed the re-election of Governor Francis Nwifuru in 2027.

The meeting, held at the Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki, the state capital, was described as the first of its kind in the 30 years since the creation of Ebonyi State.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the summit, participants reaffirmed their commitment to equity, zoning and fair political representation, particularly in the distribution of the governorship among the three senatorial districts.

According to the communiqué, the summit acknowledged the long-standing practice of senatorial rotation in the distribution of the governorship position and recognised the role the arrangement had 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,” the communiqué stated.

It added that the summit resolved that Ebonyi North Senatorial District should be allowed to complete its tenure in the 2027 electoral cycle, in line with the rotation principle recognised by the participants and the objective of ensuring equitable political inclusion.

The communiqué further stated that, after the completion of the Ebonyi North zone’s turn, the governorship should move to Ebonyi Central Senatorial District in 2031 and remain there for eight years before moving to Ebonyi South Senatorial District for another eight years.

“The summit accordingly supports and affirms the rotation of the governorship position among the three senatorial districts as follows: Ebonyi North (2023–2031); Ebonyi Central (2031–2039); and Ebonyi South (2039–2047).
“Nothing should be done to truncate or alter this process,” the communiqué declared.

The participants also stressed the need to sustain the equitable distribution of public amenities and infrastructure across the senatorial zones in the interest of fairness, justice and peaceful coexistence.

Meanwhile, the issue of President Tinubu’s re-election generated differing positions during the summit, as the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and Senator Onyeka Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District, made strong cases for the President’s re-election in 2027.

Umahi, in his address, highlighted the achievements of the Tinubu administration in road infrastructure, particularly projects in the South-East, as he canvassed support for the President’s second term.

However, the move to secure an endorsement for Tinubu reportedly encountered opposition from former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, who challenged the position, leaving the summit without a collective endorsement of the President’s re-election.

Beyond the question of political endorsements, the summit reaffirmed that peace, unity and political stability were indispensable to the continued development of Ebonyi State.

It also recognised the responsibility of political leaders, public office holders, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, community leaders and citizens to protect the state’s cohesion, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnic identity or other differences.

Participants called on political actors and their supporters to conduct political activities with restraint, mutual respect and a commitment to peaceful engagement.

They further urged stakeholders to reject inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation, political violence and any conduct capable of undermining public order and threatening the peaceful coexistence of the people of Ebonyi State.