A political tension is brewing in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 governorship election as two support groups backing Governor Francis Nwifuru and former PDP governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, have traded opposing views over the state’s zoning arrangement.

The Ebonyi South Youth Assembly on Tuesday called on Odii to abandon any ambition of contesting the 2027 governorship election, insisting that such a move would violate the state’s long-standing power rotation agreement.

The group, speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, urged residents of Ebonyi South Senatorial District to reject Odii’s alleged ambition and instead support Governor Nwifuru, who is currently serving as governor.

National President of the group, Comrade Odii Njoku, said the political stability in Ebonyi State since its creation has been sustained by adherence to an unwritten zoning arrangement based on equity, fairness and justice among the three senatorial zones.

He argued that the governorship seat has rotated among Ebonyi North, Central and South, and any attempt to alter the arrangement could destabilise the state’s political balance.

Njoku further alleged that external political actors were sponsoring Odii’s political activities to destabilise the state, specifically claiming involvement of allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He, however, provided no evidence to support the claim.

He warned that politicians from the zone who support Odii’s alleged 2027 ambition risk political isolation, insisting that sustaining zoning remains key to peace and stability in the state.

However, in a swift reaction, another group, the Anyi Ga Emeya Support Group, dismissed the position of the Ebonyi South Youth Assembly and declared full support for Odii’s political ambition.

In a statement signed by coordinators from the five local government areas of Ebonyi South—Orji Oko Akanu (Edda), Pascal Okochi (Afikpo), Chukwuemeka Ijeh (Ivo), Okereke Ndubuisi (Ohaozara) and Successful David (Onicha)—the group reaffirmed confidence in Odii’s capacity to govern the state.

The group described Odii as a visionary leader with the capacity to accelerate development in Ebonyi State, insisting that his supporters believe in his ability to transform the state.

“Anyichuks has the capacity to lead the state. Anyone supporting him has seen the future of Ebonyi State. He can turn around the state and make it the Ebonyi of our dreams,” the statement read.

It added that Odii has invested personal resources in empowerment initiatives, infrastructure projects, and social programmes across the state.

The group urged youths, women and political stakeholders to reject what it described as divisive politics and focus on development.

It also dismissed the “4 plus 4” slogan associated with the current administration, arguing that voters are more concerned with development than tenure arrangements.

“Nobody should be deceived by the mantra of ‘4 plus 4’. We voted for development, not tenure. We voted for infrastructure and progress,” it stated.

The group further claimed that Odii regularly commissions privately funded projects such as churches, houses and school buildings, and is planning further empowerment programmes for beneficiaries of training schemes.

It also dismissed the existence of the Ebonyi South Youth Assembly, describing the group as faceless and politically motivated.

“There is nothing like Ebonyi South Youth Assembly. They are a few elements of distraction. If they exist, they should come out for a public debate,” it said.

The group further referenced past governorship contests in the state, noting that political competition has historically involved candidates across different zoning arrangements.