2027: Nwifuru’s Re-election Key to Ezza Governorship in 2031, Says Ex-Reps Candidate, Aliuna 

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

A former House of Representatives candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Godwin Aliuna, has urged Ebonyians, particularly members of the Ezza clan, to support Governor Francis Nwifuru’s bid for re-election in the 2027 governorship election.

Aliuna, who contested the federal constituency seat on the platform of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), argued that Nwifuru’s successful completion of his eight years tenure would, in his view, strengthen the case for the Ezza people to seek the governorship in 2031.

He made the position known in a statement issued to journalists in Abakaliki at the weekend, in which he appealed to political actors and supporters to avoid actions capable of creating division within the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the rotational arrangement which, he said, has historically influenced the distribution of political power among the three senatorial zones of Ebonyi State should be sustained.

Aliuna recalled that Sam Egwu, from Ebonyi North, governed the state from 1999 to 2007, while Martin Elechi, from Ebonyi Central, succeeded him and served between 2007 and 2015. David Umahi subsequently governed from 2015 to 2023, before Nwifuru assumed office in 2023. 

The eight-year tenures of the three former civilian governors are documented by the Ebonyi State Government.

He maintained that Nwifuru, who is from Ebonyi North, should similarly be allowed to complete the two-term cycle like others, arguing that doing so would preserve what he described as the existing pattern of rotation.

“Now, it is the turn of Governor Francis Nwifuru, who hails from Ebonyi North Senatorial District, to rule like the others for eight years,” Aliuna said, questioning why, in his view, some individuals were campaigning against the governor’s re-election.

The former DLA candidate, who vowed to Mobilize millions of voters for the governor’s reelection come 2027, added that Nwifuru’s victory is sacrosanct, and that it’s only him, that can cede power to Ezza nation in 2031.

Aliuna is partnering with groups, especially that of the Polling Unit Mobilization (PUM), for FON, where he is the State Liaison Officer, Media, to ensure that the governor is re-elected in 2027 general election.

He noted that political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine peace and unity in the state.

Aliuna further argued that opposition to Nwifuru’s re-election could affect the political calculations of those advocating for an Ezza governorship in 2031. 

He urged members of the Ezza clan to carefully consider the implications of the various positions being canvassed ahead of the election.

He also disclosed that he had stepped aside from his own House of Representatives ambition in order to devote his political energy to mobilizing support for Nwifuru’s re-election in 2027.

While making the case for the governor’s re-election, Aliuna appealed to political actors across the state to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid inflammatory rhetoric, blackmail, intimidation and violence.

He called on supporters of the various political parties and aspirants to focus on issues that would promote the development and unity of Ebonyi State, stressing that political competition should not be allowed to damage relationships among citizens.

Aliuna also urged the people of the state to approach the 2027 electoral process peacefully and exercise their franchise in accordance with the law, saying the interest of Ebonyi should remain paramount in all political engagements.