2027: Why Ezza Nation Must Stand With Nwifuru, reject opposition -Aliuna Declares

…..Says Ezza clan has not gained anything meaningful in playing opposition 

By Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State, the Ezza Ezekuna Nation appears to be approaching a defining moment in its political history, with growing calls for the clan to consolidate its political relationship with Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru by massively supporting his second-term ambition.

For a clan renowned for its population, political relevance, cultural heritage and contributions to the development of Ebonyi State, the 2027 election presents an opportunity to demonstrate political maturity, collective responsibility and commitment to the principles of equity and rotational leadership.

Former House of Representatives candidate for Ebonyi Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Aliuna Godwin, believes that Ezza Nation cannot afford to continue playing opposition politics, particularly when such political positioning has, in his assessment, yielded little tangible benefit for the collective interests of the clan.

According to Aliuna, Ezza Nation must begin to prioritise strategic political engagement over individual ambitions, stressing that the collective political future of millions of Ezza sons and daughters should not be sacrificed on the altar of personal political interests.

His position comes against the background of Ebonyi State’s historical governorship arrangement, which has seen successive administrations emerge from different senatorial zones in the spirit of political balance and rotational understanding.

Since the creation of Ebonyi State in 1996 by the administration of the late General Sani Abacha, the state has been governed by leaders from different political and geographical backgrounds. Sam Egwu, from Izziangbo, governed for eight years, followed by Martin Elechi, from Ikwo, who also completed two terms, and David Umahi, from Uburu in Ohaozara, who equally served for eight years.

The emergence of Governor Nwifuru from Oferekpe Agbaja community in Izzi Local Government Area represents the current turn of Ebonyi North Senatorial District in the state’s political leadership arrangement.

For Aliuna, the principle of fairness demands that Nwifuru should be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted second term, just as his predecessors from other political blocs were given the opportunity to serve two consecutive terms.

He argued that questioning the legitimacy of Nwifuru’s second-term ambition while celebrating the eight-year tenures of previous governors would amount to applying different standards to the same political arrangement.

The former House of Representatives candidate maintained that Ezza Nation, having benefited from the sacrifices of its founding fathers and prominent nationalists, should be among the strongest defenders of justice, fairness, peaceful coexistence and political stability in Ebonyi State.

He particularly recalled the contributions of notable Ezza personalities, including Offia Nwali and other distinguished sons and daughters whose sacrifices and commitment helped advance the political identity, unity and development of the state.

According to him, those sacrifices should not be undermined by political divisions capable of weakening the collective bargaining power of the Ezza people.

Aliuna further noted that the Ezza Ezekuna Elders Council had taken a significant political decision by adopting Nwifuru and committing to mobilising support for his re-election in 2027.

The endorsement, he maintained, should be viewed beyond an ordinary political declaration, describing it as a strategic decision aimed at strengthening Ezza Nation’s relationship with the prevailing political structure and protecting its long-term interests.

He argued that Ezza Nation must understand that political relevance is not measured merely by the number of its political officeholders or the political parties its sons and daughters belong to, but also by its ability to build relationships, negotiate effectively and secure meaningful development opportunities.

Aliuna expressed concern that years of political disagreements and opposition alignments among some Ezza political actors had not translated into the collective benefits the clan deserved, insisting that the time had come for a change of political approach.

He warned that individual political ambitions should not be allowed to override the collective aspirations of Ezza Nation, particularly at a time when the clan needs unity, strategic thinking and purposeful political engagement to strengthen its position in Ebonyi’s political equation.

He also cautioned Ezza political stakeholders against allowing disagreements over the 2027 governorship election to degenerate into hostility, describing peaceful political participation and respect for differing opinions as essential ingredients of democratic development.

For a clan with significant political influence, Aliuna believes that supporting Nwifuru’s second-term ambition would demonstrate its commitment to the existing rotational understanding while creating room for constructive political negotiations over future opportunities, including the clan’s aspirations for 2031.

He insisted that Ezza Nation should not be seen as a political community that abandons established understandings whenever immediate political interests arise, adding that consistency, loyalty and respect for political agreements are important foundations for sustainable political partnerships.

Consequently, he declared the clan’s support for Nwifuru’s re-election as sacrosanct, urging Ezza sons and daughters across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State to rally behind the governor and the position adopted by their traditional and political leadership.

Ultimately, the 2027 governorship election presents Ezza Nation with an important opportunity to demonstrate that collective interests can triumph over personal ambitions. 

For Aliuna, the message is unmistakable: Ezza’s political future must be built on unity, strategic alliances, mutual respect and the courage to honour the principles of equity and fairness. Supporting Nwifuru’s second-term ambition, he argued, is a significant step towards that objective.