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Political leaders and stakeholders in Ebonyi state have endorsed Governor Francis Nwifuru for a second term and reaffirmed a governorship zoning arrangement that would rotate power among the three senatorial zones until 2047.
The endorsement was reportedly secured through a unanimous voice vote at a political summit held on Tuesday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, following a motion moved by the senator representing Ebonyi North, Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
The summit also resolved that Ebonyi North should retain the governorship through the 2027 electoral cycle before power shifts to Ebonyi Central in 2031 and subsequently to Ebonyi South in 2039, with each zone expected to serve eight years.
The summit, held under the theme, “Orderly and Peaceful Political Transition in Ebonyi State: The Way Forward,” attracted prominent political leaders, including former governors Sam Egwu and Martin Elechi, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, and Minister of Works David Umahi.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the stakeholders said, “Peace, unity and political stability are indispensable to the continued development of Ebonyi State,” urging political actors to place the collective interest of the state above partisan considerations.
The summit called on political leaders, public office holders, traditional rulers, religious institutions, civil society organisations and citizens to protect the state’s unity, irrespective of political affiliation and other differences.
It also condemned inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation and political violence, urging aspirants and their supporters to exercise restraint and embrace mutual respect as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.
On zoning, the stakeholders reaffirmed their support for the rotation of the governorship among Ebonyi North, Central and South, saying the arrangement had helped promote equity, inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
The proposed schedule provides for Ebonyi North from 2023 to 2031, Ebonyi Central from 2031 to 2039 and Ebonyi South from 2039 to 2047.
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, describing the pattern as part of the state’s political understanding on power rotation.
The summit further called for equitable distribution of public amenities and development projects among the senatorial zones, stressing that balanced development was necessary to promote justice and prevent political tension.
On governance, the stakeholders commended Nwifuru’s administration for its development initiatives under the People’s Charter of Needs, identifying infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, food security, human capital development, women’s empowerment and youth development as priority areas.
They urged the government and other stakeholders to sustain efforts towards improving residents’ welfare, while calling on political leaders to promote dialogue across party lines and discourage actions capable of disrupting the transition period.
The summit also urged political parties, aspirants, security agencies, electoral authorities and the media to work towards peaceful, credible and orderly elections in 2027.
Politicians were advised to pursue their ambitions through lawful means, avoid hate speech and misinformation, and respect the rights of other contestants.
The communiqué, read by Mrs Chioma Nweze, was signed by Umahi, Anyim, Egwu and other leaders on behalf of the summit.
The participants urged political leaders and citizens to translate the resolutions into practical commitments that would safeguard peace, strengthen democracy and advance the development of Ebonyi state.
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