2027: Ebonyi stakeholders back Nwifuru’s Completion of 2nd term, endorse zoning through 2047

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

Political leaders and stakeholders in Ebonyi State have reaffirmed their support for the continuation of the state’s governorship zoning arrangement, resolving that Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone should complete its eight-year tenure in 2027 before power moves to Ebonyi Central in 2031.

The resolution was contained in a communique issued at the end of the Ebonyi State Leaders and Stakeholders Political Summit held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, under the theme, “Orderly and Peaceful Political Transition in Ebonyi State: The Way Forward.”

The summit, described by its organizers as the first gathering of its kind in the state’s 30-year history, brought together political leaders and stakeholders from different political parties, the three senatorial zones, the 13 local government areas and various sectors of public life to deliberate on the state’s political future.

Among the prominent participants were the first Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu; Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who attended as Special Guest of Honour; former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; former Governor Martin Nwancho Elechi; and former Governor and Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi.

The communique, signed by stakeholders and read by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Barrister Chioma Nweze, was made available to journalists in Abakaliki shortly after the summit.

According to the communique, participants reaffirmed their commitment to peace, unity and political stability, describing them as essential conditions for the continued development of the state. 

They called on political leaders, public office holders, traditional rulers, religious institutions, civil society organisations and citizens to protect the state’s cohesion irrespective of political affiliations and other differences.

The summit also urged politicians and their supporters to exercise restraint, show mutual respect and pursue their ambitions through peaceful engagement, while rejecting inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation, political violence and other actions capable of undermining public order.

On political succession, the stakeholders acknowledged the history of governorship rotation among the three senatorial zones since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999. 

They noted that successive governors from Ebonyi North, Central and South had each served two four-year terms, describing continuity, dialogue and mutual accommodation as important factors in maintaining political stability.

In a key resolution, the summit expressed support for maintaining the established zoning arrangement ahead of the 2027 governorship election, declaring that Ebonyi North should complete the governorship cycle in 2027 in the interest of equity, fairness, mutual trust and inclusive political representation.

The stakeholders further proposed a long-term succession framework under which Ebonyi Central would occupy the governorship from 2031 to 2039, followed by Ebonyi South from 2039 to 2047. 

The proposed arrangement would preserve an eight-year tenure for each senatorial zone, with the summit urging political leaders to avoid actions capable of disrupting the rotation principle.

The communique also stressed that zoning should be accompanied by equitable distribution of infrastructure, social amenities and development projects across the state’s geopolitical zones to promote justice, fairness and peaceful coexistence among the people.

On governance, the participants commended the development initiatives of Governor Nwifuru’s administration, particularly the objectives of the People’s Charter of Needs, which focuses on infrastructure, rural development, education, healthcare, human capital development, agriculture, food security, women’s empowerment and youth development.

The summit called on political leaders, traditional rulers, religious organisations, women, youths, traders, teachers, civil servants, students, professionals and community groups to promote dialogue across political divides and discourage activities that could generate tension during the transition period.

As the 2027 general elections approached, the stakeholders appealed to political parties, aspirants, supporters, security agencies, electoral authorities and the media to work towards peaceful, credible and orderly elections. 

They urged contestants to respect the rights of others, avoid hate speech and misinformation, and pursue their political ambitions through lawful and democratic means.

The summit concluded by reaffirming its commitment to a peaceful, united and development-oriented Ebonyi State, urging leaders and citizens to translate its resolutions into practical actions that would strengthen democratic culture, safeguard political stability and improve the welfare of the people.

It also called for the preservation of the state’s identity as the “Salt of the Nation” through responsible leadership, justice, fairness, service and collective progress.