Nwifuru talk say only aspirants wey get achievement go fly APC ticket for 2027

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State don come out strong, talk say only aspirants wey get visible achievements for their current or previous positions go get support to fly APC ticket for 2027 general elections. The matter dey hot now as APC dey prepare for primary elections ahead of 2027.

Nwifuru yarn this talk on Tuesday when he join Deputy Senate Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, to commission some completed projects and inspect ongoing ones for Ebonyi North zone. The governor no come by himself—he send State APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, to represent am.

“Time for stock-taking don come,” Nwifuru talk through Emegha. “Only those wey get results and visible achievements go dey considered again to fly our party tickets for next general elections. Those wey no get anything to show for their years of representation go blame themselves, because party no go like to repeat 2023 mistakes for 2027.”

The governor commend Senator Nwebonyi for what he call “life-touching projects” for constituents. One project wey stand out na 3-bedroom bungalow wey Nwebonyi build for APC women leader of Izzi Local Government Area, Mrs Felicia Ogbonna. Nwifuru talk say such gesture dey encourage women participation for politics, and he call other National Assembly members to copy Nwebonyi style.

For his own side, Senator Nwebonyi talk say he get motivation to do these projects to complement Governor Nwifuru developmental efforts for the senatorial district. He promise to set standard for representative governance wey go hard to beat if he win re-election for 2027.

“Your Excellency, I get motivation to embark on this project outside my core legislative duties of lawmaking and oversight functions, to complement your wonderful efforts for our senatorial district,” Nwebonyi talk.

The projects wey dem commission and inspect cover multiple local government areas. For Abakaliki, dem commission 1.8-kilometre Mechanic Site–Obama Road with solar streetlights. For Izzi LGA, dem inspect road projects like Igbuphu Road and Ekweburu–Edukwu Achi Road, plus commission three-classroom block with offices at Mkpuma Ekwaoku Primary School. Dem also install over 400 solar streetlight poles for Ndiechi Onuebonyi.

For Ebonyi Local Government Area, dem inspect and commission road networks like Obegu/Isuophumini Road, Ohagelode Road and Azuodidi Road, plus motorised boreholes and classroom blocks for selected schools. The 15-kilometre Ogbutaruoku–Uloanwu–Ephoenyim Road corridor with bridges and culverts also get attention.

Stakeholders wey include traditional rulers and community leaders express joy for dividends of democracy dem dey enjoy under Governor Nwifuru and Senator Nwebonyi. Dem promise to vote massively for their re-election for 2027.

Deputy Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Deacon Joseph Ununu, describe the projects as unprecedented for Ebonyi North district history. “Action dey speak louder than words,” Ununu talk. “Wetin we witness na practical governance with direct impact on the people.”

Chairman of Forum of Development Centre Coordinators, Chidi Ogbonna, commend Senator Nwebonyi widespread infrastructural footprint, describe am as the best Senator ever produced for the zone. “These ones no be abstract projects,” Ogbonna talk. “Dem dey visible, verifiable and impactful across rural communities.”

Traditional rulers led by HRH Eze Sunday Nkwegu Oketa, who also be President-General of Oha Izhi, laud the Senator alignment with development vision of federal and state governments. Dem describe his leadership as responsive and people-oriented.

Nwebonyi list key achievements to include construction of over 15 kilometres of concrete-pavement roads with reinforced stone base and asphalt overlay, distribution of more than 300 motorcycles, 70 tricycles and 50 buses to farmers and youths, installation of solar-powered street lights, and construction of classroom blocks for rural primary schools.

The senator talk say effective representation must pass lawmaking to deliver tangible benefits to constituents. “When laws no translate into solutions for people needs, dem become mere academic exercises,” Nwebonyi explain.

He talk say his development strategy leverage zonal intervention projects to bridge infrastructural gaps, especially for rural communities. The initiatives dey designed to complement federal and state government efforts while addressing immediate grassroots needs.

Governor Nwifuru express surprise at the scale and completion status of the projects during the tour wey begin around 8:00 a.m. “Reward for good work na more work,” the governor talk. He note say Senator Nwebonyi achievements for less than three years show clear demonstration of capacity and competence, and align with APC people’s charter of needs agenda for the State.

“If he deliver this much within short period, then entrusting am with more responsibility dey justified,” Nwifuru add. “Ultimately, the people go decide, but performance of this nature dey speak volumes.”

As political parties dey commence early manoeuvres ahead of congresses and primaries for 2027 elections, anxiety dey grow over opposition parties readiness to comply with INEC timetable. Across several states, opposition parties dey grapple with deep internal crises, leadership disputes, defections, and organisational weaknesses wey threaten their ability to participate effectively for electoral process.

Analysts warn say near absence of viable opposition platforms at subnational level fit narrow electoral choices and stifle democratic growth. The situation appear particularly dire at state level, where incumbent governors dey operate with little or no pressure from credible challengers.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Goddy Uwazurike, warn say growing dominance of APC across states risk diminishing prospects of competitive elections and weakening democratic accountability. One major factor behind apparent confidence of many second-term governors na uncertainty surrounding preparedness of major opposition parties like PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, and ADC.

Questions dey persist over whether these parties fit resolve lingering internal disputes, organise credible primaries, meet INEC strict timelines, and conclude ongoing litigations before critical electoral deadlines expire.

According to INEC schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections dey slated for 16 January 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections go follow on 6 February 2027. Party primaries dey expected to hold between 23 April and 30 May 2026, with submission of nomination forms fixed for 27 June to 11 July 2026.

Campaign activities for presidential and National Assembly elections go run from 19 August 2026 to 14 January 2027, while governorship and state assembly campaigns dey scheduled from 9 September 2026 to 4 February 2027.

With electoral clock already ticking, analysts talk say ability, or failure, of opposition parties to align with this timetable may ultimately determine how competitive 2027 elections go be, especially for states where democratic contestation appear to dey steadily eroding.

Checks indicate say significant number of governors elected for 2023 remain constitutionally eligible for second terms and don already begin consolidating political structures ahead of party primaries. Wetin make emerging scenario striking no be merely their eligibility, but political environment wey dem go seek renewed mandates—one wey dey increasingly tilted in favour of incumbents, especially those aligned with APC.

Across six geopolitical zones, at least 18 governors dey expected to contest re-election for 2027, with large proportion now operating within or alongside APC following waves of defections wey don weaken opposition parties nationwide.

Observers note say this consolidation of power around dominant political platform fit fundamentally reshape electoral competition. For several states, analysts predict say real battles fit shift from inter-party contests to intra-party struggles during primaries.

More critically, the development raise concerns about Nigeria democratic health at subnational level. Years of uninterrupted control don foster perceptions of invincibility within ruling party, reflected in accusations of candidate imposition, weakened internal democracy, and reliance on legacy political machinery rather than performance-based legitimacy.

Ironically, fragmentation of opposition forces don reinforce APC dominance, allowing electoral victories even amid declining voter enthusiasm. Looking toward 2027, political scientist Fuad Oki believe ruling party greatest threat no go come solely from opposition strength but from internal complacency.

Stakeholders warn of democratic imbalance. Chairman of Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, talk say weakening of opposition parties don become increasingly pronounced. He argue say incumbent governors historically wield enormous influence within their states through control of local government structures and political machinery.

“No matter how unpopular governor fit be for his state, losing re-election na almost impossible,” Adeniran talk. “For all the states, the governor for power dey control local government structures. For those governors wey defect to ruling party, dem ensure this dey done with full control of necessary structures. For dem to lose na almost inconceivable.”

According to am, opposition marginalisation go persist unless structural reforms address systemic imbalances wey favour incumbents. National Secretary of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Achike Chude, point to local government elections as evidence of entrenched political dominance.

He note say recent council polls for states like Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers reflect overwhelming advantages enjoyed by ruling parties, leaving opposition groups unable to mobilise effectively.

“Nature of elections Nigerians go witness for 2027 dey likely to be very different from wetin many expect,” Chude warn. “Ruling All Progressives Congress go deploy strategies similar to those wey dem use for local government elections, leveraging its control of state and federal resources to ensure say president platform and APC-aligned governors maintain decisive advantage.”

He add say incumbents control over grassroots mobilisation, ward structures, and party machinery fit make credible opposition challenges extremely difficult, even for states where opposition strength appear significant on paper.

Observers talk say unfolding political trend underscore urgency of reforms to preserve electoral competitiveness. Measures frequently suggested include stricter enforcement of electoral laws, independent monitoring of party primaries, improved autonomy for local governments, and stronger institutional safeguards against abuse of incumbency power.

Without such reforms, analysts warn say 2027 elections fit replicate existing imbalances, further consolidating one-party dominance across states and gradually weakening Nigeria multiparty democratic framework.

With INEC timetable already underway and party primaries fast approaching, coming months go test not only preparedness of political parties but also resilience of Nigeria democratic system itself. Whether opposition parties fit regroup, rebuild organisational capacity, and present credible alternatives—or whether 2027 go deepen consolidation of incumbent power, remain one of defining political questions facing the country.