The Ebonyi State Leaders and Stakeholders’ Political Summit endorsed Governor Francis Nwifuru for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was made by a unanimous voice vote at the summit held on Tuesday at the Ecumenical Centre Abakaliki following a motion moved by the senator representing Ebonyi North Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
The summit which brought together political leaders and stakeholders from the three senatorial zones and 13 local government areas of the state was held under the theme ‘Orderly and Peaceful Political Transition in Ebonyi State: The Way Forward.’
Attendees included the state’s first civilian governor Senator Sam Egwu; former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim; former governor Martin Elechi; and former governor and Minister of Works Senator David Umahi.
Deputy Patricia Obila represented Governor Francis Nwifuru the Special Guest of Honour at the event.
The stakeholders deliberated on the state’s future with particular emphasis on political stability zoning equity continuity in governance and the need for a peaceful transition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the summit participants reaffirmed their commitment to peace unity and political stability describing them as essential to Ebonyi’s continued development.
They called on political leaders public office holders traditional rulers religious leaders civil society organisations and citizens to protect the state’s unity regardless of political affiliation or other differences.
The summit urged political parties aspirants and their supporters to conduct their activities with restraint and mutual respect while rejecting inflammatory rhetoric intimidation political violence and other actions that could disrupt public order.
On the contentious issue of zoning the summit supported continuing the governorship rotation arrangement among the three senatorial zones noting that the practice has helped promote inclusion and political stability since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
The communiqué noted that the state’s first three elected governors – Egwu from Ebonyi North Elechi from Ebonyi Central and Umahi from Ebonyi South – each served two four-year terms.
It said the arrangement had encouraged continuity mutual accommodation and respect for established political understandings among the zones.
The summit therefore resolved that Ebonyi North should fill its governorship slot in the 2027 electoral cycle in line with the zoning principle recognised by the participants.
It further proposed moving the governorship to Ebonyi Central in 2031 where it would remain for eight years before moving to Ebonyi South in 2039 for another eight years.
The proposed rotation schedule provides for Ebonyi North from 2023 to 2031 Ebonyi Central from 2031 to 2039 and Ebonyi South from 2039 to 2047.
The stakeholders also called for the equitable distribution of public amenities and development projects among the zones stressing the need to sustain fairness justice and peaceful coexistence.
On governance the summit commended Nwifuru’s administration for its development initiatives under the People’s Charter of Needs.
It identified infrastructure and rural development education healthcare agriculture food security human capital development women’s empowerment and youth development as key areas requiring sustained attention.
The summit urged political leaders and other stakeholders to continue promoting dialogue across party lines and to discourage actions that could create unnecessary tension during the transition period.
It also called on political parties aspirants security agencies electoral authorities and the media to work towards peaceful credible and orderly elections in 2027.
The participants urged politicians to pursue their ambitions through lawful and democratic means to respect other citizens’ rights to avoid hate speech and misinformation and to recognise the role of relevant institutions in electoral matters.
The communiqué expressed appreciation to the leaders and representatives of the 13 local government areas political parties and community organisations who participated in the deliberations.
It reaffirmed the summit’s aspiration for an Ebonyi State that remains peaceful united inclusive and development-oriented while urging leaders and citizens to translate the resolutions into practical commitments that would advance the welfare of the people.
The communiqué read by Mrs Chioma Nweze was signed by Umahi Anyim Egwu and other leaders present on behalf of the over 1500 summit attendees.