Indigenes of Ebonyi North Senatorial District residing in the South-West region of Nigeria have endorsed the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) senatorial candidate for the district, High Chief Chikodili Ojimba, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The group, comprising Ebonyi North indigenes and supporters from Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti and neighbouring states, formally presented a certificate of endorsement to Ojimba at an event held at Recreation Palace Hotels & Suites, Lagos.
The development came amid intensified consultations and mobilisation by political actors ahead of the 2027 senatorial contest.
Ojimba has also recently engaged Ebonyi communities resident in Lagos as part of his consultations outside the state.
The gathering attracted representatives from Ohaukwu, Izzi, Ebonyi and Abakaliki Local Government Areas, as well as traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and women.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Comrade David Nkwuda said the endorsement followed an assessment of Ojimba's contributions to his communities and the wider Ebonyi North Senatorial District.
Nkwuda particularly cited the senatorial candidate's scholarship programme for students in his communities and other interventions which, according to him, demonstrated his commitment to the welfare and development of the people.
He described Ojimba as the group's preferred candidate for the senatorial seat, urging him to sustain his relationship with the people if elected.
Receiving the certificate, Ojimba expressed appreciation for the endorsement and the large turnout of Ebonyi North indigenes and supporters at the event.
He said he was particularly touched by the development because he had not met Nkwuda before the mobilisation commenced.
Ojimba recalled that Nkwuda contacted him in the previous month, introduced himself and informed him of his intention to mobilise members of the Chipping Sellers' Movement and other supporters in Lagos and neighbouring states for his senatorial aspiration.
The APGA candidate described the mobilisation as an uncommon demonstration of confidence and commitment, assuring the group that he would remain accessible and accountable to them beyond the 2027 election.
He pledged to maintain regular engagement with Ebonyi indigenes in the diaspora, stressing that his relationship with supporters would not be limited to the election period.
Ojimba said he would not operate as a representative who becomes inaccessible after securing electoral victory, promising to maintain communication with constituents and supporters while in office.
Drawing from his experience as a businessman, he said trust remained fundamental to sustainable relationships, particularly in the business environment.
“We are business people and businessmen are most trustworthy set of people. We understand that if we are supplied goods on credit and fail to pay after selling them, we will not be given more goods. The same principle applies here. If you give me your support, I will not fail to repay that trust,” he said.
Ojimba said the relationship between traders and their suppliers was founded on trust, reliability and fulfilment of obligations, adding that the same principles would guide his relationship with the electorate.
He urged business owners and other Ebonyi North indigenes in the diaspora to extend their confidence to his aspiration, assuring them that his background in business had strengthened his appreciation of loyalty, commitment and accountability.
The event was attended by traditional rulers and community leaders, including HRH Eze Cyprian Nwekee, HRH Eze Simeon Aziewa, Chief Pius Nwite, Chief Sabinus Igwe, National Coordinator of the Chipping Sellers' Movement, Chief Boniface Okpete, leader of Izhiamgbo in Lagos, and Chief Ifeanyi Ikpoki.
NATIONAL PANEL reports that the latest endorsement adds to a series of community-level expressions of support reported around Ojimba's candidacy in Ebonyi North, although the 2027 contest remains subject to the broader electoral process and competing candidates' campaigns.
The Lagos gathering ended with goodwill messages and renewed expressions of support from the participating community leaders and supporters.
