Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and senator representing Ebonyi North, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has dismissed claims that he is violating an alleged zoning arrangement limiting senators from the district to a single four-year tenure, insisting that there is no political or constitutional basis for him to forgo a second term bid in 2027.

Nwebonyi was reacting to comments reportedly made by his opponent and senatorial candidate under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Chikadoli Ojimba, who urged him to withdraw from the race on the grounds of an alleged one-term agreement in Ebonyi North Senatorial District.

Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki on Sunday, the lawmaker maintained that the purported arrangement had no binding effect, noting that former Governor of Ebonyi State and ex-senator representing Ebonyi North, Sam Egwu, served two terms in the Senate.

“I am not the first senator from Ebonyi North to seek a second term. Senator Sam Egwu, the first civilian governor of Ebonyi State, served two terms in the Senate representing Ebonyi North. By the grace of God, I will also serve a second term,” Nwebonyi said.

The senator declared that he had no formidable rival ahead of the 2027 senatorial election, attributing his confidence to what he described as his track record of effective representation and impactful constituency projects.

Taking a swipe at some opposition candidates seeking elective offices, Nwebonyi argued that leadership should be built on experience, competence and a proven record of public service.

“Politics is not an avenue for making money. Those coming into politics with such expectations should reconsider. Public service is about sacrifice and service to the people,” he stated.

The senator also expressed confidence in the electoral fortunes of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections, asserting that the party remained firmly entrenched in Ebonyi State.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as increased federal attention to the South-East, particularly Ebonyi State, citing ongoing federal road projects as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region.

Nwebonyi equally reaffirmed his support for Governor Francis Nwifuru, describing him as a unifying figure whose leadership had strengthened cohesion across Ebonyi State, especially within the Izzi clan.

Reacting to reports of alleged divisions among the Izzi people, the senator dismissed the claims as unfounded, insisting that the clan was more united than ever under Governor Nwifuru’s administration.

According to him, the era of political fragmentation driven by sectional interests had passed, urging political stakeholders to embrace unity and work collectively for the development of the state.

“We are united, focused and committed to the progress of Ebonyi State. The politics of division is behind us, and our people are determined to move forward together,” he said.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  and factional National Ex-Officio member of the party, Mazi Moses Idika, has dismissed calls for the party’s 2027 governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, to step down on the grounds of zoning, insisting that the businessman and philanthropist remains firmly in the race.

Idika argued that the governorship position in Ebonyi State has historically been contested by candidates from different senatorial districts and that no constitutional provision prevents any qualified citizen from seeking the office.

According to him, elections conducted in the state since 1999 have featured candidates from across Ebonyi North, Central and South senatorial districts, regardless of political arrangements or zoning considerations.

He maintained that Chief Odii’s ambition is legitimate and should be determined by the electorate through the ballot box rather than by what he described as an “imaginary zoning system.”

Idika further challenged supporters of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s re-election bid to highlight the administration’s achievements rather than focus on succession politics.

He also accused the state government of failing to address critical developmental challenges facing the state, while expressing confidence that Odii would offer an alternative vision centred on investment, industrialisation and economic growth.

The PDP stalwart described Odii as a patriotic leader committed to improving the welfare of Ebonyi people and opening the state to greater economic opportunities.

“Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii will contest, he will win, and Ebonyi people will be happy again,” Idika stated.

He urged Ebonyi residents to decide the state’s next governor through democratic means during the 2027 governorship election.

The statement comes amid growing political activities and realignments among political parties in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Labour Party, LP, has affirmed a former senator, Ishaku Abbo, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections in Adamawa.

The party also unveiled candidates for the three senatorial districts, eight House of Representatives seats and 25 House of Assembly constituencies in Adamawa.

The affirmation took place during the party’s primary election and candidate affirmation exercise on Sunday, in Yola.

Mr Sam Ochiama, Chairman of the Labour Party Primary Election Committee, said the exercise complied with the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.

Ochiama said candidates who emerged unopposed were affirmed through voice votes by delegates and party stakeholders.

He announced Mr Emmanuel Musa as the party’s candidate for Adamawa Central Senatorial District.

According to him, Musa was the sole aspirant for the position and received overwhelming support during the affirmation process.

Ochiama also declared Mr Peter Fwa as the party’s candidate for Adamawa South Senatorial District and Mr Dawuda Mohammed as the party’s candidate for Adamawa North Senatorial District.

The committee chairman also unveiled the party’s candidates for the eight House of Representatives seats.

He similarly announced the 25 candidates selected to contest seats in the Adamawa House of Assembly.

He expressed optimism that the Labour Party would mount a strong challenge in the 2027 elections and urged members to remain united and strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the polls.

He stressed the need for cooperation among party faithful to ensure success at all levels of the election.