The Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ebonyi South, Dr Ernest Nasir Nwaze said that the zone will not vote political gamblers in next year general election rather will vote for competency saying that all the party flag bearers has the capacity to bring development to the people.

Nwaze made the declaration during the party local government area rally for the emergence of Engr. Osborn Nweze Umahi as the APC chairmanship candidate for Ohaozara Local Government Area ahead of the August 22, 2026 local Government elections.

He declared that the people of the zone will not entrust their political future to what he described as “political gamblers,” insisting that the electorate are now discerning enough to distinguish credible candidates from those seeking power without demonstrable capacity to deliver.

He said the choice of Umahi reflected the APC leadership’s commitment to presenting candidates with the pedigree, competence and capacity required to consolidate the development agenda of the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.

According to him, the overwhelming acceptance of the APC candidate across Ohaozara was an indication that the electorate had confidence in the party and its leadership.

“Ebonyi South will not back political gamblers in 2027. Our people have become politically sophisticated and understand the difference between genuine leadership and the desperation of individuals who only emerge during election periods,” Nwaze said.

The APC zonal chairman urged party supporters and residents of Ebonyi South to remain united behind the party, stressing that the APC had demonstrated sufficient capacity through its programmes, policies and developmental interventions to merit continued public support.

Nwaze particularly commended Governor Nwifuru for what he described as “purposeful and people-oriented leadership,” saying the governor’s administration had strengthened the APC’s political structure across the state.

He also applauded the Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, for his contributions to national infrastructure development and expressed confidence that Engr. Osborn Nweze Umahi would bring similar commitment and competence to the administration of Ohaozara Local Government Area if elected.

He called on APC members to mobilise voters for the party’s candidates from top to bottom, saying a united electoral mandate would enable the party to consolidate its developmental programmes at the grassroots.

“We are asking our people to support APC candidates from top to bottom. This is not the time for political experimentation. It is a time to support candidates who have the capacity, experience and commitment to serve,” he said.

Nwaze further dismissed the electoral prospects of opposition parties in Ebonyi South, arguing that the APC had established a formidable political structure across the senatorial zone.

He said the opposition should not mistake political rhetoric for electoral strength, insisting that the APC remained firmly rooted in the communities and wards across the zone.

“The opposition parties do not have the political structure or grassroots strength to challenge the APC in Ebonyi South. We are not taking anything for granted, but we are confident in our people and in the strength of our organisation,” he stated.

He, however, urged APC supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the electoral process, stressing that victory should be achieved through persuasion, mobilisation and the strength of the party’s record rather than confrontation.

Nwaze said the August 22 council elections would provide another opportunity for the people to demonstrate their confidence in the APC and its candidates, adding that the party was prepared to deliver a decisive victory across Ebonyi South.

He therefore urged voters to come out en masse on election day and exercise their franchise, saying the APC remained committed to providing effective representation and responsive governance at the grassroots.