Former lawmaker representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Senator Joseph Obinna Ogba, has declared that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has no serious challenger ahead of the 2027 governorship election, saying Ishielu Local Government Area would be the first among the 13 councils in the state to deliver him for a second term.
Ogba, a two-term senator and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, stated this on Tuesday while speaking with journalists at the Ishielu Local Government Area headquarters, Ezillo during the 2026 council elections rally.
The former PDP state chairman, who is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also expressed confidence that the ruling party would win the August 22, 2026 local government elections in Ishielu and subsequently secure a decisive victory in the 2027 governorship election.
According to him, the APC has no formidable opposition in Ishielu, insisting that the political structure of the local government is firmly behind Nwifuru and the ruling party.
“APC is the only party ruling Ishielu Local Government Area. There is no other party that can beat APC in this local government and, by extension, in the governorship election and others.
“We are strongly committed to the governor. In Ishielu, we don't have any opposition party. APC is the party to beat in the local government polls come August 22, and in 2027, it is certainly a deal done for FON,” he said.
Ogba also said the incumbent chairman of Ishielu Local Government Area, Mrs Peace Agwu had no serious challenger ahead of the August 22 council election, describing her re-election as “non-negotiable."
“Currently, we don't have any other candidate opposing our incumbent chairman and her re-election is non-negotiable. Almost all the people here will vote for her. What are we looking for?” he asked.
On the 2027 governorship election, Ogba said Ishielu would lead the 13 local government areas in returning Nwifuru to office, attributing the governor's expected victory to his performance and what he described as the peaceful coexistence among the people of Ebonyi.
“In 2027, Ishielu Local Government Area will be first among the 13 LGAs to return Nwifuru for a second term. Before noon, Nwifuru is not contesting his current position with anybody,” Ogba declared.
He argued that the principle of rotational power-sharing in the state supports Nwifuru's second-term bid, noting that previous civilian governors from different senatorial zones had served two terms.
“The first civilian governor, my boss, Distinguished Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu, served eight years and he is from Ebonyi North. Former Governor Martin Nwanchor Elechi, his predecessor, served eight years and he is from Ebonyi Central. Engr. David Nweze Umahi, who now works as a minister, also served eight years and handed over to the current governor, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
“Nwifuru will complete his two terms, that is eight years in office, before handing over to another person come 2031, because equity demands that the rotation should be strictly observed and implemented,” he said.
Ogba further dismissed suggestions that PDP governorship aspirant Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii could pose a major challenge to Nwifuru in 2027, questioning the opposition party's preparedness for the election.
“As of now, Nwifuru has no challenger. He has no challenger. I heard that Anyichuks (Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii) is contesting. Which position and in which party, if I'm to ask?
“PDP is yet to produce a sole governorship candidate for the 2027 polls. The truth is that PDP has no candidate yet because they have two factions,” he said.
He maintained that the APC's dominance in the state would become more evident when campaigns for the 2027 general elections commence, predicting a strong electoral performance for Governor Nwifuru.
“You know this is a local government rally. When the general elections campaign starts, you will testify to victory movement because Nwifuru has no challenger because of his unprecedented achievements, especially the peaceful coexistence of Ebonyi people,” Ogba said.
