The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) has accused Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, of allegedly misleading the Ezza clan with promises of a power shift in 2031 as part of efforts to consolidate support for his reported second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The group made the allegation in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday while reacting to the endorsement rally organised by the Ezza Elders Council at Onueke and the counter press conference held by the Umuekumenyi Leaders Council in Abakaliki.

AEISCID said the political developments in the state had become a major source of concern as activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.

According to the group, Governor Nwifuru’s absence at the endorsement rally organised in his honour by the Ezza nation raised serious questions about the sincerity of his alleged promise to hand over power to the Ezza people after a possible second term.

The group noted that although the governor was the principal beneficiary of the endorsement, he chose to send his deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, to represent him at the event.

“For us, nothing would have inspired greater confidence among the Ezza Ezekuna people than the governor personally attending the rally and making a direct public commitment to support the emergence of an Ezza son as governor in 2031,” the statement said.

AEISCID argued that the governor’s absence from the rally cast doubt on the credibility of the alleged succession arrangement being promoted among the Ezza people.

The group also aligned itself with the position of the Umuekumenyi Leaders Council, which reportedly endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

It commended the council for what it described as its “courage, political foresight and commitment” to rescuing Ebonyi State from “poor governance and developmental stagnation.”

According to AEISCID, the state has witnessed a significant decline under the current administration, alleging that no major government project has been completed in the last three years.
“It is increasingly difficult to point to any landmark achievement that reflects impactful governance under the present administration. Ebonyi State has, in many respects, experienced political and developmental setbacks,” the group alleged.

The diaspora body also criticised the state government over the prolonged delay in completing the Vanco flyover and tunnel project, which it described as the administration’s flagship project.
According to the group, the condition of the project symbolises what it termed a lack of strategic direction and governance focus.

“The abandonment and slow pace of work on the Vanco flyover project have become emblematic of a government many now perceive as lacking vision, coordination and clear developmental priorities,” the statement added.
AEISCID further warned the Ezza people against placing undue faith in political promises relating to future power rotation arrangements.

“Political power is not handed over based on sentiment or verbal assurances. Across history and democratic systems, power is earned through strategic participation, political organisation and the collective will of the people,” the group stated.
The organisation maintained that the 2027 governorship election should be determined by competence, leadership capacity and vision rather than what it described as “politics of entitlement and zoning manipulation.”

The group also condemned alleged threats against opposition figures in the state, accusing Governor Nwifuru of making comments capable of intimidating political opponents during a recent rally in Abakaliki.

AEISCID called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and relevant democratic institutions to ensure that political freedoms and constitutional rights are protected in Ebonyi State.

“Democracy guarantees every Nigerian the right to contest elections, express political opinions and freely associate without intimidation or threats. These democratic principles must be protected at all times,” the statement said.