Nwifuru Will Serve Two Terms as Ebonyi Governor, Says Deputy Senate Whip

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has declared that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State will complete two full terms in office, dismissing speculations of a one-term agreement ahead of the 2027 political cycle.

Senator Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District, described claims that Governor Nwifuru would step down after one term as “false, misleading and politically motivated.” He stressed that there was no pact limiting the governor’s tenure, despite both leaders coming from the same Izzi clan in the state. According to the lawmaker, the narrative being pushed by some political actors was aimed at causing division within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State. He maintained that zoning or kindred considerations did not override constitutional provisions, which clearly entitle an elected governor to seek re-election for a second term. "Nwifuru was elected by the people of Ebonyi State to serve, and there is no agreement anywhere that restricts him to a single term. "By the grace of God and the will of the people, he will serve two terms,” Nwebonyi said. Governor Nwifuru, who assumed office in May 2023 after winning the governorship election on the platform of the APC, has continued to consolidate his administration with a focus on infrastructure development, economic reforms and social welfare programmes. His victory was upheld by the Supreme Court, effectively ending legal disputes surrounding the election. The deputy senate whip noted that discussions about the 2027 governorship race were premature, urging party members and stakeholders to prioritize governance and development rather than succession politics. He added that the APC leadership in the state remained united behind Governor Nwifuru’s administration. Political observers say the statement signals early moves to shut down internal opposition and reaffirm continuity within Ebonyi APC, as conversations around future elections gradually begin to emerge across the country With the endorsement from a key federal lawmaker, Governor Nwifuru appears set to enjoy strong backing from influential party figures as he continues his first term in office.