2027: Ebonyi Youths Reject Governor Nwifuru’s Plot To Impose Candidate For North Senatorial District | Sahara Reporters
The coalition said the choice of who represents the people of Ebonyi North in the National Assembly should be determined by the electorate and not through political arrangements or influence of political leaders.
Youths under the aegis of the Ebonyi Youth Coalition (EYC) have rejected an alleged attempt by Governor Francis Nwifuru to influence the choice of candidate for the Ebonyi North Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition said the choice of who represents the people of Ebonyi North in the National Assembly should be determined by the electorate and not through political arrangements or influence of political leaders.
The youths’ position followed what they described as comments attributed to Governor Nwifuru during the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival in Amagu, where issues concerning the sharing of political positions along Izzi kindred lines and the suitability of individuals for the National Assembly were reportedly discussed.
In a statement signed by Comrade Eze Francis, the Ebonyi Youth Coalition said the governor’s reported position did not reflect the aspirations of many young people in the senatorial district.
The group said it was particularly opposed to any arrangement that could predetermine the outcome of the 2027 Ebonyi North senatorial contest before the electorate had the opportunity to make its choice.
“We, the members of the Ebonyi Youth Coalition numbering over 10,000, categorically reject any attempt to dictate who should represent Ebonyi North in the Senate on the basis of kindred arithmetic or personal preference,” the statement said.
According to the youths, the Senate seat is a public office and should not be treated as the property of any individual, family, political group or community faction.
“The Senate seat is not a family inheritance or a reward for loyalty to any individual. It belongs to the people, and the people of Ebonyi North have already made their choice clear,” the coalition stated.
The group said it would rally support for Chief Ojimba Fidelis Ojimba, whom it described as a businessman and philanthropist with significant support among young people in the senatorial zone.
Ojimba was also identified by the coalition as a former chairman of the Ebonyi State Consolidated Quarry Owners Association.
The youths further pointed to his philanthropic interventions in education, healthcare and youth empowerment as part of the reasons for their support.
The coalition said it took exception to what it described as suggestions that certain categories of people were unsuitable for the National Assembly.
“The claim that the Senate is only for those with a certain kind of courage or that good people should stay away is both false and dangerous,” the group said.
According to the youths, Ebonyi North requires a senator capable of attracting investment, creating employment opportunities and representing the interests of constituents without fear or favour.
The group further declared that any attempt to undermine Ojimba’s candidacy under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) would be met with resistance at the grassroots.