The Leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Member representing Afikpo West State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ikoro, has declared that no amount of campaign of calumny, propaganda or protests against Governor Francis Nwifuru will stop his re-election bid in 2027.
Ikoro, in a statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki, criticised those sponsoring what he described as campaigns against the governor, insisting that elections are not won through social media attacks, propaganda or staged protests, but through tangible achievements and the confidence of the electorate.
He described a protest reportedly held in Abuja against Governor Nwifuru as “laughable” and “unfortunate,” alleging that it was organised by people who were not indigenes of Ebonyi State.
According to him, the development amounted to “the last kick of a dying horse,” stressing that Governor Nwifuru continued to enjoy widespread support across the state.
“It is unfortunate that people who claim to be running an election against Governor Francis Nwifuru have resorted to all forms of campaign of calumny and propaganda against the governor.
“Politics is a game of conviction. As a candidate, you must convince the people why they should vote for you. Governor Nwifuru does not need to convince Ebonyi people to vote for him because his projects speak for him,” Ikoro said.
The lawmaker accused opposition elements of failing to come to the state to present their programmes and explain to the people why they deserve their votes, alleging that they had instead resorted to attacks against the governor on social media.
Reacting to the reported Abuja protest, Ikoro questioned the rationale behind mobilising people outside the state to protest against a governor whose election, he said, would ultimately be decided by Ebonyi voters.
“The protest in Abuja this morning was a clear indication of the highest level of desperation. How can someone go to Abuja, mobilise non-indigenes of Ebonyi State, bring in media houses and claim that they are protesting against Governor Nwifuru?” he asked.
Ikoro further alleged that many of those seen in videos from the protest were not from the South-East and suggested that some participants may have been mobilised for the demonstration.
He expressed concern that an indigene of Ebonyi could allegedly allow himself to be used in an effort to tarnish the image of the governor, urging those involved to reconsider their actions.
The Assembly Leader maintained that the people of Afikpo were firmly behind Governor Nwifuru’s second-term ambition, expressing confidence that the governor would secure overwhelming support from the area in the 2027 governorship election.
“APC is firmly on ground in Afikpo, and the people will ensure that the governor secures a landslide victory in the governorship election,” he said.
Ikoro said Governor Nwifuru would complete his second term in office and that Ebonyi State would continue to witness development under his administration.
He urged the people of Afikpo to continue supporting the governor’s administration in order to attract more dividends of democracy to the area.
