The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State has endorsed Governor Francis Nwifuru as its preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election, following the decision of its governorship candidate, Chief Mrs Lucy Odom, to step down from the race in support of the incumbent governor.
The endorsement, which signals a significant political realignment ahead of the 2027 general election, was announced at a gathering of the party's state and national leadership, candidates and other stakeholders on Saturday in Abakaliki.
Speaking at the event, APGA's candidate for Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Chief Chikaodili Ojimba, described the endorsement as a landmark political development, commending Odom and her running mate, Terry Alu, for what he termed their sacrifice, trust and commitment to the collective interest of the party.
Ojimba said the decision demonstrated that Odom could be trusted, noting that although political negotiations and alliances sometimes encountered disagreements, the former governorship candidate had remained committed to the understanding reached by the party.
He assured Odom and her deputy that APGA would not take their sacrifices for granted, promising that the party would recognise their contributions.
He urged party faithful to return to their respective constituencies and mobilise support for Nwifuru, whom he described as the party's candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
According to him, the endorsement was informed by the achievements of the Nwifuru administration, particularly in infrastructure, peace and development.
Ojimba, however, cautioned supporters against political violence, insisting that electoral victory could only be achieved through peaceful engagement and strategic mobilisation.
"Violence does not win an election," he warned, urging APGA members to remain focused on delivering Nwifuru and other candidates of the party in the forthcoming elections.
Also speaking, APGA's candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, described the endorsement as a practical demonstration that the progressives were working together, urging supporters to disregard insinuations of political hostility between APGA and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ogalagu said the alliance was a strategic arrangement aimed at strengthening the political fortunes of both parties and consolidating the developmental agenda of the Nwifuru administration.
He maintained that political party affiliation should not be allowed to undermine constructive collaboration, stressing that the ultimate objective of politics should be the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.
He urged APGA supporters not to be distracted by political criticisms but to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
"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.
Ogalagu further disclosed that the endorsement was only the beginning of a broader mobilisation strategy, assuring supporters that the party would subsequently announce the date for the formal flag-off of its campaign activities in the state.
He expressed confidence that the alliance would strengthen the chances of Nwifuru's re-election, urging members to remain committed to the collective political project.
Similarly, APGA's candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, Ugochukwu Ojike, welcomed the endorsement, describing it as a positive development for the party and Ebonyi State.
Ojike said the decision reflected the importance of political cooperation and collective responsibility, expressing confidence that the emerging alliance would produce the desired electoral outcome in 2027.
Earlier, the APGA State Chairman, Hon. Chukwudi Nwankwo, said the endorsement was a deliberate decision by the party to sustain peace, unity and development in Ebonyi State.
Nwankwo, who presided over the gathering, said the party had resolved to support Nwifuru's second-term ambition in recognition of what he described as the governor's efforts to promote peace and political harmony across the state.
He described the endorsement as part of the progressive political collaboration between APGA and APC, dismissing suggestions that the two parties were working at cross-purposes.
"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 endorsement today is a solemn commitment. After endorsing him, we will give directives to all our people across the state so that they will vote massively for Nwifuru," he added.
Nwankwo also called on party members to sustain the atmosphere of political understanding, insisting that the alliance would strengthen unity and promote development in the state.
In her remarks, APGA's governorship candidate, Chief Mrs Lucy Odom, said her decision to step down followed extensive consultations with party members, political stakeholders and other relevant interests.
Odom explained that the decision was not taken hastily, noting that it required considerable effort and consultations before the party arrived at a common position.
She said the decision was informed by the convergence of the development priorities of APGA and the Nwifuru administration, stressing that the party considered continued collaboration more beneficial to the state.
"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.
Odom reaffirmed her commitment to the political understanding reached by the party, describing the alliance as an opportunity to consolidate the existing development agenda in Ebonyi.
The South-East Zonal Treasurer of APGA, Mrs Beatrice Nkwuda, said the endorsement was consistent with resolutions reached by the party's State Executive Council and subsequently affirmed by its National Executive leadership.
Nkwuda, who moved the motion for Nwifuru's adoption, said the party believed that political decisions should be guided by prevailing circumstances and the collective interest of its members.
She consequently declared Nwifuru the party's preferred governorship candidate for the 2027 election, a motion that was seconded by Prince-Will Chukwu, APGA's candidate for Afikpo North-West State Constituency.
The party's South-East Auditor, Joseph Elom, also supported the endorsement, pledging that APGA members would work across the state to ensure its success.
Elom urged party supporters to intensify mobilisation for Nwifuru and other APGA candidates contesting elective positions in the 2027 general election.
The party's National Youth Leader, Onyebuchi Eze, who represented the national leadership, described the endorsement as a strategic political alliance designed to promote progressive governance and deliver democratic dividends to the people.
Eze subsequently inaugurated a door-to-door campaign committee for Nwifuru's re-election, charging its members to intensify grassroots mobilisation across the state.
He urged young people to prioritise political strategy and collective interests over emotions, arguing that strategic alliances remained essential to achieving meaningful political 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 urged APGA members to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid at the federal level, describing the arrangement as part of a broader progressive alliance between the two political parties.
The endorsement motion was eventually subjected to a voice vote by Nwankwo and received the support of members present at the gathering.
The party thereafter 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.
