Ebonyi: I Have No Opponents in 2027 Guber Poll — Gov. Nwifuru boasts

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

Ebony State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has declared that he has no opponent in the forthcoming 2027 governorship election in the state.

He insisted that his primary desire is to secure the endorsement of the people rather than that of political parties.

Nwifuru stated this on Saturday while addressing journalists shortly after casting his vote in the ongoing Ebony State local government election at his hometown, Ufuruakpa Agbaja, in Izzi Local Government Area of the state.

The governor described elections as a process through which the people choose their leaders, stressing that the exercise should not be treated as a war or a confrontation.

According to him, “It is the will of the people. You don’t need security when people are choosing candidates in an election.”

He explained that candidates were selected through the internal processes of their respective political parties, noting that he did not personally select the candidates participating in the local government election.

“I did not select the candidates; it is the people who selected them, while the political parties also selected their candidates,” he said.

Nwifuru further urged politicians and their supporters to approach elections with a sense of responsibility, arguing that there was nothing extraordinary about allowing citizens to choose their preferred leaders.

“The process is ongoing. It is not a war; it is an election. That is why I believe we don’t need to stress ourselves over voting for a candidate of our choice to become our leader,” he said.

Speaking specifically on the 2027 governorship election, the governor, who is also the leader of the ruling political party in the state, said he did not currently consider himself to have an opponent, although he acknowledged that other political parties would field candidates for the election.

“As the leader of the party in the state, if you ask me, I will tell you that I have no opponent. But other political parties have their candidates, even for the general election, and we expect to have reasonable opponents who can compete with us and also point out our lapses,” Nwifuru stated.

He, however, acknowledged the importance of opposition in a democratic system, saying political opponents could help expose areas where a government needed to improve.

“When you have opponents, it is not only about competition. They can also show you things you don’t know. 

Sometimes, you need opponents because they can expose your shortcomings and areas where you need to improve. So, having an opponent is also good,” he said.

The governor expressed confidence in his party and its candidates, saying he would naturally wish for the party to emerge victorious in the elections because of his commitment to its ideals.

“Whether or not our party will win the election, my wish is for our party to win. I am a party man, and I believe in my party and all its candidates. 

I believe they have what it takes to occupy the positions they are contesting for,” he added.

Nwifuru also cautioned against judging individuals based solely on their physical appearance or dressing, stressing that people have different mindsets and personal choices.

He further dismissed suggestions that he was seeking endorsement from other political parties ahead of the 2027 governorship election, saying what mattered to him was the endorsement of the people of Ebony State.

“On the issue of other political parties endorsing me as a sole candidate, there is no need to ask whether I am making such a move. 

I don’t want political parties to endorse me. What I want is for the people of Ebony to endorse me. That has always been my position,” he stressed.

“I have been appealing to the people to endorse me, not political parties,” the governor added.