Abuja, Nigeria — The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) has accused Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of allegedly misleading the Ezza people with promises of handing over power in 2031, describing the claim as politically insincere ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group also declared support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, following an endorsement by the Umuekumenyi Leaders Council.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its President, Paschal Oluchukwu, AEISCID said the governor’s absence at a recent Ezza Elders Council endorsement rally in Onueke raised questions about his commitment to the alleged power-sharing arrangement.
According to the group, Nwifuru’s decision to send his deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, instead of attending the event personally, weakened confidence in his purported promise to support an Ezza succession in 2031.
“A personal appearance and clear public commitment would have reassured the Ezza people more,” the group said.
AEISCID also aligned itself with the Umuekumenyi Leaders Council, which recently endorsed the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election, describing the move as a response to what it called governance challenges in the state.
The diaspora group alleged that Ebonyi State had experienced developmental setbacks under the current administration, citing stalled infrastructure projects, including the Vanco Flyover and Tunnel project.
It argued that governance performance, rather than zoning or succession promises, should determine leadership choices in 2027.
“Political power is earned through competence and democratic participation, not promises of future succession,” the statement read.
AEISCID also condemned alleged threats against opposition figures reportedly made during a recent political rally, calling on President Bola Tinubu to caution political actors and ensure democratic freedoms are protected.
The group urged voters in Ebonyi State to focus on leadership capacity and accountability ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
