The Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Interparty Affairs, Comrade Sunday Nwambam , has declared that no viable opposition candidate can challenge Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru in the 2027 general election.
Nwambam made the declaration on October 12, 2026, during a press briefing at his office in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, following the release of the final list of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
He recalled that INEC released the list of successful candidates for various political parties contesting the 2027 general election on Friday last week.
According to him, the list in Ebonyi State contains twelve governorship candidates, including Governor Francis Nwifuru, three female candidates and their running mates, as well as 238 candidates vying for seats in the State House of Assembly.
While commending INEC for adhering to its electoral timetable, Nwambam said the number of governorship candidates demonstrates that Governor Nwifuru is a true democrat who has maintained a political environment conducive to opposition parties, despite his re-election bid.
He added that the number of candidates contesting for State House of Assembly seats further demonstrates the administration’s commitment to political pluralism and the preservation of citizens’ rights to choose their leaders at different levels of government.
Nwambam assured that his office would continue to advocate peaceful campaigns and an orderly electoral process. However, he reminded residents that although minority groups may have their say, the majority would ultimately have their way, urging voters to exercise sound judgment in choosing their preferred candidates.
He argued that a review of the personalities on the governorship list showed that, apart from Governor Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and his deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, other candidates were either inexperienced, political contractors or individuals he described as jokers seeking to create content for their followers.
The governor’s aide further maintained that the INEC list revealed no strong opposition candidate deserving of the electorate’s votes, describing many of the candidates as serial election losers who allegedly view every general election as an opportunity to cash out.
He, however, expressed confidence that Ebonyi voters had attained the political maturity required to identify candidates with proven character, tested leadership records and viable political platforms capable of delivering the dividends of democracy.
The Special Assistant also expressed concern that some political parties whose candidates appeared on INEC’s final list allegedly lacked state offices, let alone functional structures at the local government and ward levels.
Describing the situation as condemnable, Nwambam said partisan politics should involve active citizen engagement. He therefore called on residents to demand that opposition parties establish offices as evidence of their commitment and seriousness about winning elections.
He warned that the absence of an identifiable office location should be treated as a red flag by voters, arguing that political parties without a visible presence in the state might be unable to deliver democratic dividends if entrusted with leadership.
