By Nkechinyere Ewa
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State has endorsed Governor Francis Nwifuru for re-election in 2027 following the withdrawal of its governorship candidate, Chief Mrs Lucy Odom, from the race in support of the incumbent governor.
The endorsement was announced on Saturday in Abakaliki at a gathering of the party’s state and national leaders, candidates and other stakeholders, who described the decision as a strategic political alliance aimed at promoting peace, unity and development in the state.
Odom, who addressed the gathering, said her decision to step down followed extensive consultations with party members, political stakeholders and other relevant interests.
She explained that the decision was reached after careful consideration of the development priorities of APGA and the Nwifuru administration, adding that the party believed continued collaboration would serve the collective interest of Ebonyi people.
“The decision to step down today took a lot of effort and consultations, ranging from party members to other stakeholders and everybody that matters. We took time to arrive at that decision, and today it has been concluded,” she said.
APGA’s State Chairman, Hon. Chukwudi Nwankwo, said the party resolved to support Nwifuru’s second-term ambition in recognition of his administration’s efforts towards promoting peace, unity and political harmony in the state.
“We endorse our dear governor to continue his good work. We endorse him because he has brought peace and unity among everybody,” Nwankwo said.
He disclosed that the party would issue directives to its structures across the 13 local government areas to mobilise members and supporters for Nwifuru’s re-election.
The APGA candidate for Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Chief Chikaodili Ojimba, described Odom’s withdrawal as a significant sacrifice for the party, commending her and her running mate, Terry Alu, for putting the collective interest of APGA above personal ambition.
Ojimba assured the former governorship candidate that the party would recognise their contributions, urging members to return to their constituencies and mobilise support for Nwifuru.
He attributed the endorsement to what he described as the achievements of the governor in infrastructure development, peace and governance, while cautioning supporters against electoral violence.
“Violence does not win an election,” he warned, urging APGA members to adopt peaceful engagement and strategic mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Similarly, APGA’s candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, described the endorsement as evidence of growing cooperation between the progressives, dismissing suggestions that APGA and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were political adversaries.
Ogalagu said the alliance was designed to strengthen the political fortunes of both parties and consolidate the developmental agenda of the Nwifuru administration.
He urged party members to ignore political distractions and intensify grassroots mobilisation, insisting that the ultimate objective of politics should be the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.
“The best way to distract your supporters is to win this election. Our eyes should be on the ball. Don’t mind the distractions,” he said.
He added that the endorsement was the beginning of a wider mobilisation strategy, disclosing that the party would announce the date for the formal flag-off of its campaign activities in the state.
The APGA candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, Ugochukwu Ojike, also welcomed the endorsement, describing it as a positive development that would strengthen political cooperation and promote the interests of Ebonyi State.
The South-East Zonal Treasurer of APGA, Mrs Beatrice Nkwuda, said the endorsement was in line with resolutions reached by the party’s State Executive Council and affirmed by its national leadership.
Nkwuda moved the motion for Nwifuru’s adoption as the party’s preferred governorship candidate for 2027. The motion was seconded by Prince-Will Chukwu, APGA’s candidate for Afikpo North-West State Constituency.
The party’s South-East Auditor, Joseph Elom, pledged the commitment of APGA members to the alliance, urging supporters to work for Nwifuru’s re-election and the success of other party candidates.
Also speaking, the National Youth Leader of APGA, Onyebuchi Eze, who represented the national leadership, described the endorsement as a strategic alliance aimed at promoting progressive governance.
Eze subsequently inaugurated a door-to-door campaign committee for Nwifuru’s re-election, charging members to intensify grassroots mobilisation across the state.
He urged young people to prioritise political strategy and collective interests over emotions, saying political alliances were necessary for achieving desired objectives.
“Politics is not a game of emotions. Politics is a game of strategy and, of course, a game of interest,” he said.
Eze also called on APGA members to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, describing the arrangement as part of a broader progressive alliance between APGA and APC.
The endorsement motion was subjected to a voice vote by the state chairman and received the support of members present.
The party subsequently resolved to commence coordinated grassroots mobilisation across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State, with the newly inaugurated campaign committee expected to lead door-to-door engagements ahead of the 2027 general election.