Political leaders and stakeholders in Ebonyi State have endorsed the continuation of the governorship zoning arrangement, resolving that Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone should retain the position in the 2027 electoral cycle.
This means that incumbent Governor Francis Nwifuru will re-contest for the Governorship Seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections and may return to the Governor’s Office in Abakaliki.
The resolution was reached at the Ebonyi State Leaders and Stakeholders’ Political Summit held on Tuesday at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, where political leaders from the three senatorial zones and the 13 local government areas deliberated on peaceful political transition and the future of the state.
The summit, themed “Orderly and Peaceful Political Transition in Ebonyi State: The Way Forward,” also proposed that Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone should produce the governor from 2031 to 2039, followed by Ebonyi South from 2039 to 2047.
The communiqué issued at the end of the summit stated that the arrangement was intended to promote equity, fairness, political inclusion and peaceful coexistence among the three senatorial zones.
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According to the communiqué, the summit resolved that Ebonyi North should complete the governorship slot in the 2027 electoral cycle, in line with the rotation principle recognised by participants.
The summit further stated that nothing should be done to truncate or alter the proposed rotation arrangement, adding that equitable distribution of amenities among the senatorial zones should be sustained to promote justice and peaceful coexistence.
The meeting was attended by Sam Ominyi Egwu, the first Executive Governor of Ebonyi State; Governor Francis Nwifuru; Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Martin Elechi, former Governor of the State; and David Umahi, former Governor and current Minister of Works.
The summit noted that successive governors of the State since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999 had served two four-year terms, with Egwu representing Ebonyi North, Elechi representing Ebonyi Central and Umahi representing Ebonyi South.
It maintained that continuity, mutual accommodation and respect for established political understandings had contributed to political stability in the state.
Beyond the zoning arrangement, the summit reaffirmed its commitment to peace, unity and political stability, urging political leaders, party supporters and other stakeholders to avoid inflammatory statements, intimidation, political violence and other actions capable of undermining public order.
The participants also commended the development initiatives of the Nwifuru administration, particularly the People’s Charter of Needs, which focuses on infrastructure, rural development, education, healthcare, agriculture, food security, women’s empowerment and youth development.
On the 2027 general elections, the summit called on political parties, aspirants, security agencies, electoral authorities and the media to contribute to a peaceful and credible electoral process.
It urged politicians to pursue their ambitions through lawful and democratic means, respect the rights of other citizens and avoid hate speech and misinformation.
The summit expressed the hope that the spirit of consultation demonstrated at the gathering would continue beyond the 2027 elections, providing a foundation for stronger political cooperation and sustained development in Ebonyi State.
It called on political leaders and citizens to translate the resolutions into practical commitments that would safeguard peace, strengthen democratic institutions and advance the welfare of the people.
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