2027: Ezza Stakeholders Won’t Boycott Summit, Back Nwifuru —Ex-Reps candidate, Aliuna insists 

..,…Warns Critics Against Undermining Zoning Formula

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

A former House of Representatives candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Aliuna Godwin, has declared that Ezza stakeholders will participate fully in the forthcoming political stakeholders summit in Abakaliki, insisting that the clan remains firmly behind Governor Francis Nwifuru’s re-election bid in 2027.

Aliuna, who made the declaration in a statement issued to journalists in Abakaliki, said the Ezza Nation would not boycott the summit scheduled for October 20, 2026, at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki.

He said the summit was designed to mobilize political support, promote peace and strengthen unity in Ebonyi State as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.

According to him, the Ezza people remain committed to supporting Nwifuru’s administration and would work within their capacity to ensure his re-election for a second term.

Aliuna maintained that the forthcoming summit offered an opportunity for stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to political stability, peaceful coexistence and the established zoning arrangement in the state.

He also criticised individuals advocating the abandonment of the zoning formula, arguing that the arrangement had played an important role in managing political succession and maintaining balance among the state’s various political blocs.

“Those critics and detractors seeking the dissolution of the zoning formula are enemies of Ebonyi State. They want anarchy and war to reign in the state, but they should be rest assured that their plans have failed,” he said.

The former candidate questioned why previous civilian governors, including Sam Egwu, Martin Elechi and David Umahi, were allowed to complete two terms of eight years each, while Nwifuru should be denied the same opportunity?.

“Why will the first civilian governor, Sam Egwu, Martin Elechi and David Umahi rule for eight years each, and Governor Francis Nwifuru will not complete his own eight years? What crime did he commit?” Aliuna asked.

He argued that supporting Nwifuru for a second term was consistent with the political tradition established by previous administrations and would provide continuity in governance.

Aliuna, a veteran journalist who contested the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency seat under the platform of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), further argued that continued support for Nwifuru could improve Ezza Nation’s prospects of producing the state’s governor in 2031.

He said the Ezza people should consider the long-term implications of their political decisions rather than pursue immediate ambitions that could undermine their collective interests.

According to him, the clan has a better opportunity to negotiate its political future under Nwifuru’s administration than by supporting alternative governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 election.

The former House of Representatives candidate also warned individuals he described as detractors against making statements or engaging in activities capable of damaging the image and reputation of the Ezza Nation.

He said the clan had become more politically conscious and united, adding that its stakeholders should prioritise collective aspirations over what he described as the selfish interests of a few individuals.

Aliuna urged Ezza sons and daughters, political leaders and other stakeholders to participate actively in the October 20 summit, stressing that unity, peaceful engagement and strategic political decisions would be crucial to the clan’s future.

He expressed confidence that the Ezza Nation would remain united in its support for Nwifuru, while calling on political actors across Ebonyi State to embrace dialogue and peaceful participation as the 2027 general election approaches.