By Magnus Aluma
Stakeholders and Leaders of Ebonyi State, on Tuesday, officially adopted the principle of rotational governorship among the three Senatorial Zones of the state, with the resolve to also throw their support behind President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru’s re-election in 2027.
This was contained in a 7-point communique issued at the end of a political summit held in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital. The summit, which was held at the Christian Ecumenical Center, Abakaliki, was the first of its kind, thirty years after Ebonyi State was created.
The summit reaffirmed that peace, unity and political stability are indispensable to the continued development of Ebonyi State. It recognised the responsibility of political leaders, public office holders, traditional institutions, civil society groups, community leaders and citizens to protect cohesion in the state, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnic identity or other differences.
The communique reads in part: “All political actors and their supporters should conduct political activities with restraint, mutual respect, and show commitment to peaceful engagement.
“Stakeholders should reject inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation, political violence and any conduct capable of undermining public order.
“The summit acknowledges that there has been peaceful transfer of political leadership among the three senatorial zones since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1999, and noted that the successive administrations of governors Sam Egwu of Ebonyi North, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi Central, David Umahi of Ebonyi South each served out their two four-year terms.”
It further states that the summit also considered the importance of preserving peace, strengthening democratic institutions, sustaining development and ensuring a fair and orderly political succession, adding that peace, unity and political stability are indispensable in political transition and democratic continuity.
According to the communique, continuity, mutual accommodation and respect for established political understandings have contributed to the stability of the state; while political leaders and stakeholders should sustain a culture of dialogue, fairness and responsible political engagement in addressing questions relating to succession and the future leadership of the State.
It further reads: “the summit acknowledged the long-standing practice of senatorial rotation of the governorship of the state and the role of the arrangement has played in promoting a sense of inclusion among the three senatorial zones.
“In the interest of equity, fairness, mutual trust and the preservation of peaceful coexistence, the summit expressed support for the continuation of the established zoning understanding in the 2027 governorship succession.
“The summit resolved that Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone should be allowed to complete the governorship in the 2027 electoral cycle, in keeping with the rotation principle recognised by the participants and the objective of equitable political inclusion.”
The summit further resolved that, after the Ebonyi North slot and by 2031, the position of Governor shall move to Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone and remain there for eight years before moving to the South, to complete the cycle.
It noted that nothing should be done to truncate or alter this process, adding that equitable distribution of amenities among the geopolitical zones must be sustained in the interest of equity, fairness, justice and peaceful coexistence.
On governance, the summit acknowledged the importance of people-centred governance as exemplified by Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration. It commended the development initiatives of Governor Nwifuru’s administration, pointing out that his policies are directed towards improving the welfare and living conditions of the people of the state.
Participants at the summit specifically recognised the objectives of Governor Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs mantra, which emphasises i infrastructure and rural development, education, healthcare and social welfare, human capital development, agriculture and food security, and women’s empowerment and youth development.
They called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to contribute to a peaceful, credible and orderly electoral process, stressing that the electoral authorities, the media, and the security agencies should also help to guard against misinformation and hate speech.
The summit reaffirmed the collective aspiration of an Ebonyi State that remains peaceful, united, inclusive, and development-oriented. It recognised the enduring significance of the State’s identity as the “Salt of the Nation” and called on present and future generations to uphold the ideals of responsible leadership, justice, fairness, service and collective progress.
Prominent among the personalities who participated in the in the summit, were the first Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Sam Egwu, Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, a former governor of Ebonyi State, Martin Elechi, erstwhile Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, and the Minister of Works and immediate past governor of the state, David Umahi.
The summit was held under the theme: “Orderly and Peaceful Political Transition in Ebonyi State: The Way Forward”
