The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ebonyi State, Chief Boniface Nwofe, received a rousing reception on Tuesday when he attended the traditional marriage ceremony of the daughter of former Minister of State for Health, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, at Oyege, Ezzanyimagu, Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
Nwofe’s arrival at the ceremony, which attracted political stakeholders, community leaders and other dignitaries, was greeted by cheers from party supporters and sympathisers who gathered at the venue.
The NDC candidate was accompanied by the state chairman of the party, Prince Enyinnaya; the party’s senatorial candidate for Ebonyi North, Chief James Nwite; its House of Representatives candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Odono Sabastine, as well as candidates for the State House of Assembly and other party officials.
Some supporters sang and danced as Nwofe exchanged pleasantries with guests at the ceremony, with chants of support for the NDC and its candidates intermittently punctuating the proceedings.
The development effectively injected a political dimension into the social gathering, although the event remained primarily a traditional marriage ceremony attended by personalities across political divides.
Nwofe, who hails from neighbouring Agbaja community in Izzi LGA, was visibly elated by the reception as he interacted with guests and other dignitaries at the venue.
The development came amid heightened political activities in Ebonyi ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the NDC recently identifying Nwofe as its governorship candidate for the state.
The party has publicly listed Nwofe among its governorship candidates for the 2027 elections.
The NDC candidate emerged from the party’s governorship primary held in the state in May, although the process reportedly generated contestation among aspirants.
The party has since maintained that Nwofe remains its candidate for Ebonyi, as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.
The latest reception also followed a meeting of prominent NDC stakeholders in the state, including former Governor Sam Egwu, former Minister Nwankwo, former Deputy Speaker Linus Okorie, Prof. Benard Odoh and Chief Anayo Nwonu, among others, where the party’s position on its governorship candidacy was reportedly reiterated.
Nwankwo, a former Minister of State for Health and former chairman of Izzi Local Government Area, has previously been identified publicly as a stakeholder in the NDC and spoken about the party’s preparations for the 2027 election.
The NDC has also said it has governorship candidates in all 28 states where governorship elections are scheduled for 2027, listing Nwofe as its candidate in Ebonyi State.
As political parties continue to mobilise ahead of the 2027 elections, Nwofe has commenced consultations and engagements with stakeholders across Ebonyi State.
The traditional marriage ceremony attracted prominent personalities from different walks of life, including former public officials, academics, political actors, government functionaries and other guests from within and outside the state.
Among those present were Senator Chris Nwankwo; the Chief of Staff to the Ebonyi State Governor, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu; the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Chief Matthias Adum; and a former Vice-Chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Prof. Idike.
The gathering provided an opportunity for political and community stakeholders to interact beyond partisan lines, even as activities surrounding the 2027 governorship contest continue to gain momentum across the state.
