The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, has declared support for Governor Francis Nwifuru’s re-election bid and the senatorial ambition of Chief Chikaodili Ojimba ahead of the 2027 general elections, while seeking a seat in the House of Representatives.
Ogalagu said his support for Nwifuru was informed by the need to sustain Ebonyi State’s governorship rotation arrangement, while expressing confidence in his own political aspiration and urging constituents to make informed choices at the polls.
The federal constituency candidate made the declarations during an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, where he spoke on his political ambition, grassroots mobilisation, voters’ education and the need for peaceful elections.
Explaining his position on the governorship election, Ogalagu said political stakeholders should preserve the existing power-rotation arrangement to promote fairness and protect the interests of future generations.
“Knowing full well that if we stop governorship rotation, if it doesn’t affect me today, it will affect my son tomorrow,” he said.
He maintained that the arrangement should not be undermined by individual political interests, adding that its continuity was important to the state’s political stability.
“We have a common understanding among stakeholders. Governorship is a big responsibility, and we don’t need to disrupt the office of the governor,” Ogalagu said.
The APGA candidate also expressed support for Ojimba’s senatorial aspiration, urging constituents to consider the candidates seeking to represent them at different levels of government.
He said his political position was shaped by his assessment of the state’s political circumstances and the need to sustain an arrangement that allows the senatorial zones to take their turns in the governorship.
On the performance of the Nwifuru administration, Ogalagu commended its emphasis on human capital development, arguing that investment in people was an important measure of governance.
“In human capital development, you don’t show structures; you show human beings. When you develop one person, you have developed the nation,” he said.
While acknowledging the administration’s infrastructure efforts, he observed that project completion remained an area requiring attention, noting that effective implementation was essential to translating government policies into tangible benefits for residents.
Ogalagu, however, said his assessment of the administration informed his decision to support the governor’s re-election bid.
On his ambition to represent Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, the APGA candidate attributed the reception he had received from constituents to his previous contributions to the community.
“If you see the level of acceptance I’m having these days in politics, you will know that it is because of what I have done for my people,” he said.
He added that voters were increasingly assessing candidates on their personal records and contributions rather than relying exclusively on party affiliation.
“What they tell you now is that they want the candidate, not the political party alone,” he said.
Ogalagu said his campaign would continue to prioritise grassroots engagement and voters’ education, particularly in rural communities, to ensure that eligible voters understood the electoral process and could identify the symbols of their preferred parties.
Explaining the importance of such sensitisation, he said APGA’s symbol was a local fowl, while that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a broom.
“Our symbol is a local fowl, while the APC symbol is a broom. The difference is clear,” he said.
He explained that party agents and grassroots mobilisers would help voters understand the different ballot papers and party symbols to minimise confusion during voting.
The candidate also called on political parties and their supporters to maintain peace throughout the electioneering period, warning against violence and unlawful conduct.
“Violence does not win elections,” Ogalagu said.
He said his experience in the security sector had reinforced his belief in the importance of law and order, adding that supporters should not allow political disagreements to expose them to avoidable legal consequences.
“I don’t want anything that will make my supporters to be on their own. That is why I advise them clearly, knowing full well that government is, after God, government,” he said.
He urged his supporters to channel grievances through lawful means rather than resort to confrontation.
“Why send people to fight for me when I have an appropriate channel to follow? I can still get the results,” he said.
Ogalagu further said APGA’s leadership had communicated a political position concerning support for President Bola Tinubu and governorship candidates recognised by the party in the respective states.
He said his decision to support Nwifuru was also informed by his desire to preserve the governorship rotation arrangement in Ebonyi.
The candidate urged constituents to participate peacefully in the 2027 elections, assess candidates on their records and commitments, and make choices that reflect their expectations of effective representation and accountable governance.
