2027: Your empty criticism, attacks won’t stop Nwifuru from winning -Aliuna tells opponents 

By Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki

The former House of Representatives candidate for Ebonyi Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Aliuna Godwin, has challenged political opponents of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to focus on substantive policy issues and verifiable records of governance rather than engaging in what he considers unnecessary political exchanges ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Aliuna’s position comes amid renewed political exchanges following the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Campaign Council in Ebonyi State, where the governor reportedly highlighted his administration’s achievements and claimed to have fulfilled approximately 98 per cent of his campaign promises.

The inauguration has generated reactions from opposition figures, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose spokesperson to its governorship hopeful, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, Chief Emmanuel Igwe, criticised the governor’s reported remarks concerning opposition activities and challenged him to provide evidence of his administration’s performance.

However, the controversy raises broader questions about the direction of political discourse in Ebonyi State, particularly whether the forthcoming electoral contest will be determined by competing development records, policy alternatives and accountability or by increasingly heated exchanges between political camps.

For Aliuna, the governor’s administration should be assessed through its policies, projects and interventions rather than political interpretations of every statement made during party activities. He argues that political disagreements should not overshadow the responsibility of public officeholders to account for their stewardship.

The former House of Representatives candidate maintains that the People’s Charter of Needs, which provides the policy framework of the Nwifuru administration, deserves comprehensive public assessment across infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, workers’ welfare, youth development and community services.

Indeed, during the APC campaign council inauguration on November 7, 2026, Nwifuru highlighted several interventions, including the construction of 43 primary schools, educational reforms, agricultural mechanisation, pension and gratuity payments, 

Also, the civil service promotions, electricity interventions and efforts to strengthen the state’s aviation infrastructure. These provided a basis for further public scrutiny and independent assessment.

The governor’s 98 percent projects fulfilment, however, has become one of the major talking points in the unfolding political debate. 

While the opposition has demanded evidence, the administration’s responsibility is to provide a comprehensive account of completed projects, ongoing contracts, financial commitments and measurable outcomes against its original campaign promises.

Aliuna’s argument is that political criticism should be constructive and supported by evidence. He believes that opposition parties should present alternative programmes and explain how their proposed policies would address the development challenges confronting Ebonyi rather than relying exclusively on allegations against the incumbent administration.

Nevertheless, the opposition’s questions concerning the Vanco Junction Flyover, proposed aircraft, borrowing, debt servicing and the termination of some community road contracts are matters that deserve clear official explanations. 

Public accountability is strengthened when governments make project status, procurement records and budget performance information accessible to citizens.

Available state procurement records list a contract for the construction of an overhead bridge and underpass at Vanco Junction, Abakaliki. However, a contract award or procurement record should not be confused with evidence of project completion. 

The administration can address the controversy by publishing the project’s implementation status, expenditure and completion timetable.

Similarly, questions surrounding public borrowing should be addressed through budget performance reports, legislative approvals and explanations of how borrowed funds are being deployed. 

The public deserves clarity on these issues, just as it deserves an accurate assessment of the administration’s development interventions.

Beyond the disagreement over projects and finances, the controversy surrounding the governor’s reported comments about opposition politicians has introduced another important dimension to the debate. 

While political mobilisation is a legitimate part of party activities, constitutional democracy also guarantees citizens the freedom to support opposition parties, criticise government policies and participate in elections without intimidation.

Consequently, Aliuna’s call for political opponents to concentrate on substantive issues must go alongside an expectation that the governor and his political associates maintain language that encourages peaceful political participation rather than engaging in empty blackmail and distortion of facts.

The security of citizens and the freedom of political association remain responsibilities that transcend party affiliations.

The 2027 election therefore presents an opportunity for Ebonyi’s political actors to move beyond personal exchanges and engage the electorate on infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare, agricultural productivity, industrial development and the management of public resources. 

Both the governing party and opposition parties have a responsibility to demonstrate how their respective programmes would improve the lives of residents.

Ultimately, Aliuna’s challenge to the opposition is that political competition should be anchored on facts, alternative policies and responsible engagement rather than attacks on the integrity and reputation of the prudent governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru.

For Governor Nwifuru, the most persuasive response to criticism will be transparent documentation of his administration’s achievements, honest explanations of outstanding commitments and continued respect for democratic freedoms. 

The people of Ebonyi deserve a political contest in which evidence, accountability and peaceful participation take precedence over personal attacks.