Stakeholders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ezillo community of Ebonyi State have resolved that the chairmanship position be zoned to Ezzagu during the August 2026 council election.
The stakeholders adopted the resolution during a visit to a leading chairmanship contender and former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ebonyi State, Comrade Ben Nworie, assuring of their full supports for the zoning arrangement and his candidature.
Barrister Chris Egbu, Chief Emeka Agbo and others leaders of the group noted that it was a clarion call anchored on justice, equity and fairness that it was the turn of Ezzagu zone to produce the next chairman since the people of Ezillo have diligently completed their tenures.
The leaders expressed happiness with the support and solidarity from the people of Ezzagu zone throughout the tenures of the former and incumbent chairmen, Obinna Onwe and Mrs Peace Agwu.
Egbu said ,”I want to sincerely commend our brother and seasoned journalist, Comrade Ben Nworie for his courage to contest the chairmanship position of Ishielu Local government area in August 2026 council poll.
“Your aspiration is apt and welcomed. Ezillo Stakeholders are in support of power shift to Ezzagu zone. That was our arrangement in 2024 electioneering. It also represents justice, equity and fairness.
“Let me commend your people, Ezzagu Zone for their supports, love and cooperations throughout the tenures of former chairman, Obinna Onwe and even the present administration of Mrs Peace Agwu.
“It is our collective agreement that power will shift to Ezzagu zone in 2026 and having you as a contestant has rekindled our spirit and hope. As a journalist who has dedicated your principles to upholding government’s accountability and transparency, we believe that you will definitely lead by example when you emerge.
“As we assure you of our total support, we want to encourage you to be strong, courageous and optimistic on your aspiration. Power comes from God and we are happy that our Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru is a man who doesn’t consider whether you have godfathers before he entrusts public office to anyone.”
In his response, the contestant commended the stakeholders for their sportsmanship and truthfulness in the recent clamour for power shift to Ezzagu Zone after over two decades.
Nworie said, “I am deeply motivated by this uncommon sportsmanship all of you have exhibited. Since I declared my interest, many people from Ezillo and other parts of our local government area have called me to encourage and motivate me.
“Governor Francis Nwifuru has been a blessing to journalists. He has appointed my colleagues to his government and that shows our capacity and competence. Many people think that being a journalist represents low class citizens. No! We can aspire, contest and win elections.
“I say this because someone who wants to be reelected has been busy asking for the person who is sponsoring me to contest. Does she think a journalist should be poor or have nobody to project him for elective position? And I ask myself, does it mean that a journalist can’t contest election in his state?
“We are enjoying peace and freedom under the APC government in Ebonyi State. As a journalist, I am fully aware of the policy direction of the state governor and the only thing needed, is to queue so that your council area will be connected to the state government for the overall interest and development of my local government.
“Let me emphasize this: the office of a local government chairman is too big to be reduced for a ‘personal upkeep’. You can build markets, school, bridges, open up roads, empower people. These are essence of government. These are what the state Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru is doing. It’s very simple for a local government chairman to watch and learn the policy priorities of the governor and replicate same. That’s grassroot development.
“I have always told people I met, whether you have Godfather or not, God can use anyone to bless you. You must not have money to visit all stakeholders. People may underrate your ambition, but in the sight of God, it’s a mustard seed. Ride on.”
He further called on his supporters to be civil in their campaigns and agitations for power shift, to avoid heating up the polity and endangering the relative peace which Governor Francis Nwifuru has laboured hard to return to the state.