Ebonyi: NDC Guber candidate, Senator Nwagu, Rejects Zoning

In Abakaliki, the 2027 Ebonyi State gubernatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, has reaffirmed his commitment to run for governor, despite the recent adoption of power rotation which supports the incumbent, Francis Nwifuru. The senator declared that his political ambition remains strong and he is determined to pursue it to the end.

He criticized the resolution as unconstitutional, null and void, as it does not represent the interests of the entire state. Nwagu expressed his optimism for victory in the upcoming election, suggesting that it should be based on performance, capacity, and integrity.

He clarified that the recent Political and Economic Summit of opposition parties in the state did not endorse any gubernatorial candidate, and reports suggesting endorsement of the PDP candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, were misleading. Nwagu emphasized that no collective decision was made to endorse any candidate during the summit, and the endorsement narrative was a diversionary tactic to create political misunderstandings.

He reaffirmed his commitment to contest and win the 2027 election, insisting that participation in political gatherings does not mean surrendering individual political ambitions or accepting another candidate as a consensus choice.

The summit also condemned threats, harassment, and intimidation of opposition politicians, civil society organizations, critics, and the media. Nwagu highlighted that the summit identified the state as being at a crossroads, facing poverty, alleged misgovernance, deteriorating infrastructure, and threats to its political unity. He urged citizens to scrutinize every candidate and political party, emphasizing that no candidate should claim endorsement without formal establishment, and no contestant should be denied the democratic right to pursue a legitimate ambition.