By Nkechinyere Ewa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all 13 chairmanship seats and 171 wards in the August 22, 2026, Ebonyi State local government elections.
The results were announced in Abakaliki by the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), Mr Patrick Enyi, who said other political parties participated in the election.
Enyi described the exercise as peaceful, credible and transparent.
Among those declared winners was Osborn Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, who won the chairmanship election in Ohaozara Local Government Area.
Other APC chairmanship winners declared by EBSIEC are Chidi Nwode Ikwo, Mrs Peace Agwu in Ishielu; Hon. Paul Ituma in Ohaukwu; Friday Nwuhuo in Ezza North; Chinedu Mkpuma in Ezza South; Hon. Chidi Nwode in Ikwo; Engr. Timothy Nwachi in Afikpo; Ikechukwu Ogbofia in Onicha; Michael Kalu Anyim in Ivo; Chief Simeon Onuoha in Edda; Mrs Helen Aduga in Izzi; Hon. Chidiebere Alo in Abakaliki; and Hon. Chibueze Odigwe in Ebonyi Local Government Area.
Speaking after casting his vote at Edukwu Okemini 002 Polling Unit, Enyanwuigwe Ward, Oferekpe Agbaja in Izzi Local Government Area, Governor Francis Nwifuru said the ultimate authority in determining the outcome of elections rested with the people.
Nwifuru said his political aspiration was anchored on securing the endorsement of Ebonyi people rather than seeking endorsement from political parties.
“It is the will of the people. You don’t need security when people are choosing candidates in an election. I did not select the candidates; it is the people who selected them, while the political parties also selected their candidates,” he said.
The governor described the election as a peaceful democratic process, stressing that elections should not be approached as a war.
“There is nothing special about it other than allowing the people to select their candidates. Our party did that, and I believe other political parties also did the same,” he added.
While expressing confidence in the APC’s strength in the state, Nwifuru said credible opposition remained important to the growth of democracy because opponents could point out areas where the government needed to improve.
“As the leader of the party in the state, if you ask me, I will tell you that I have no opponent. But other political parties have their candidates, even for the general election, and we expect to have reasonable opponents who can compete with us and also point out our lapses,” he said.
The governor, however, expressed his desire for the APC to win the council elections, saying he believed the party’s candidates had the capacity to provide effective leadership.
On reports of political endorsements ahead of the 2027 elections, Nwifuru said he was more interested in winning the confidence of Ebonyians than securing endorsements from political parties.
“There is no need to ask whether I am making such a move. I don’t want political parties to endorse me. What I want is for the people of Ebonyi to endorse me. That has always been my position,” he said.
Nwifuru also backed a recent declaration by his Deputy, Mrs Patricia Obila, who, while representing him at a mega rally in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area, named the Coordinator of Iboko Development Centre, Mr Stephen Iboko, as Coordinator of the Year.
He said recognising public officers who distinguished themselves in service could encourage others to pursue people-oriented development and accountability.
Speaking after his victory, Osborn Umahi commended EBSIEC for the conduct of the election, describing the exercise as peaceful and transparent.
He pledged to focus on rural development, youth empowerment and agricultural transformation in Ohaozara.
The APC Chairman in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, described the party’s victory as confirmation of its dominance in the state.
Emegha expressed confidence that the APC would also emerge victorious in the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, commended the peaceful conduct of the election and credited the Nwifuru administration with creating an atmosphere conducive to political participation.
Ogah said the high turnout recorded in his ward demonstrated the governor’s connection with the grassroots.
He also commended EBSIEC for what he described as the timely distribution of electoral materials and adherence to the rules of the election.
According to him, the peaceful conduct of the local government election was an indication that the 2027 general elections could also be conducted peacefully in the state.
Ogah further called on political actors, particularly members of the National Assembly, to maintain close contact with their constituents and remain active at the grassroots.
He also dismissed concerns over youth involvement in political violence, citing youth empowerment programmes by the state government as part of the measures capable of discouraging thuggery.
The lawmaker said the local government election had provided an opportunity for political actors to reconnect with the grassroots ahead of the 2027 general elections.