Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Stakeholders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ezillo community, Ebonyi State, have adopted a resolution that the chairmanship seat of Ishielu Local Government Area be zoned to Ezzagu ahead of the August 2026 council elections.
The decision was reaffirmed during separate familiarisation visits to a leading chairmanship aspirant and former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Ben Nworie. The stakeholders pledged full support for both the zoning arrangement and his candidature.
Speaking during the visit, Barrister Chris Egbu, Chief Emeka Agbo and other leaders of the group said the decision was in line with the principles of justice, equity and fairness, noting that Ezillo had taken its turn and completed the tenures allotted to the community.
They expressed satisfaction with the support and solidarity demonstrated by the people of Ezzagu throughout the administrations of the former and current council chairmen, Hon. Obinna Onwe and Mrs. Peace Agwu, respectively.
Barrister Egbu said: “I sincerely commend our brother and seasoned journalist, Comrade Ben Nworie, for his courage to contest the chairmanship position of Ishielu Local Government Area in the 2026 council polls.
“Your aspiration is apt and welcome. Ezillo stakeholders support the power shift to Ezzagu zone. That was our arrangement during the 2024 electioneering, and it reflects justice, equity and fairness.
“We appreciate the support and cooperation of Ezzagu people throughout the tenures of former Chairman Obinna Onwe and the incumbent, Mrs. Peace Agwu.
“It is our collective agreement that power will shift to Ezzagu in 2026, and your emergence as a contestant has rekindled our hope. As a journalist known for upholding accountability and transparency, we believe you will lead by example when elected.
“We assure you of our total support and encourage you to remain strong, courageous and optimistic. Power comes from God, and we are fortunate to have a governor who appoints people based on merit, not godfatherism.”
In his response, Nworie commended the stakeholders for what he described as their “uncommon sportsmanship and sincerity” in supporting the clamour for a power shift to Ezzagu after more than two decades.
He said: “I am deeply motivated by the goodwill you have shown. Since I declared my interest, many people from Ezillo and across the LGA have reached out to encourage me.
“Governor Francis Nwifuru has been a blessing to journalists. He has appointed several of my colleagues, showing that we have capacity and competence. Some people think journalists belong to the lower class. No—we can aspire, contest and win elections.
“Someone seeking re-election has been asking who is sponsoring me. Does she think a journalist should be poor or incapable of seeking office? Does it mean a journalist cannot contest an election in his own state?
“We are enjoying peace and freedom under the APC government in Ebonyi. As a journalist, I understand the policy direction of the governor, and what is needed is to align our local government with the state agenda for development.”
He stressed that the office of council chairman must not be reduced to a platform for personal upkeep.
“A chairman can build markets, schools, bridges, open roads, empower people. These are the essence of governance and what the governor is doing at the state level. It is easy for a chairman to study the governor’s priorities and replicate them at the grassroots,” he said.
Nworie urged his supporters to conduct themselves peacefully in their campaigns and agitation for power shift, warning against actions capable of destabilising the peace that Governor Nwifuru has worked hard to restore in the state.
