2027: Nwebonyi Draws Battle Line, Says ‘Oppose Me, You Oppose Nwifuru’

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

The political contest ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State has taken a fresh turn, as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has declared that anyone opposing his re-election ambition is equally opposing Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, insisting that he enjoys the governor’s endorsement.

Nwebonyi made the declaration during a strategic engagement with political stakeholders, community leaders, women and youths of Iziogo Ward in Izzi Local Government Area, where he presented an account of his stewardship and solicited support for another term in the Senate.

The event, held at Iziogo Central School, featured the commissioning of a 10,000-litre-capacity solar-powered motorised borehole, distribution of four motorcycles to selected youths and the flag-off of a 15-kilometre road construction project in the community.

Reviewing his interventions since his inauguration into the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the senator disclosed that he had facilitated scholarships for 185 graduates, constructed more than 45 houses for indigent widows, provided boreholes and distributed various empowerment materials across the senatorial district.

He also listed the provision of vehicles to APC chairmen in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Izzi and Ohaukwu local government areas, construction of houses for the party’s women leaders, distribution of motorcycles and agricultural inputs among his interventions.

Nwebonyi disclosed that 18 persons from Iziogo Ward had benefited from his scholarship programme, adding that his interventions were designed to improve the living conditions of constituents and strengthen grassroots development.

“I constructed boreholes in this community. I gave scholarships to 18 persons from this place, and I have produced 185 graduates between when I became a public officeholder and now as your senator.

“I have built over 45 houses for indigent widows. I have given cars to the APC chairmen in the four local government areas of Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Izzi and Ohaukwu. I have also built houses for the women leaders in the four local government areas,” he said.

On his 2027 ambition, the senator maintained that his re-election bid had the backing of Governor Nwifuru, warning that opposition to his candidacy amounted to challenging the governor’s political position.

“If you oppose me, you are opposing our leader, the governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, because I am his candidate, following his pronouncement right from the day of consultation and the primaries of our party, the APC,” he declared.

He urged political stakeholders to avoid divisive tendencies and sustain unity within the party, while commending women, particularly market women, for their contributions to political mobilisation and grassroots participation.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr. Felicia Nwamkpuma, recalled development interventions attracted to the community during Nwebonyi’s previous supervisory responsibilities.

She noted that residents continued to appreciate the projects executed in the area. She pledged the support of women groups while urging greater attention to youth engagement and mobilisation.

Nwamkpuma also appealed to political leaders and community stakeholders to guide young people towards responsible political participation and discourage violence and other activities capable of threatening peace during the 2027 electoral process.

Similarly, a former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sunday Nwangele, urged the people to remain committed to the APC, saying support for the party’s candidates would strengthen the political structure of Governor Nwifuru’s administration.