As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 Guber election in Ebonyi State, there are these critical questions most people, especially the opposition politicians ask; will the Governor hand over to "onye Ezza" in 2031?
Also, there is another propaganda by some elements from the opposition parties, mostly PDP, that the governor’s succession plan is intended to favour an Ikwo or Agba man, as the Guber race for 2031 will be thrown open to the people of Ebonyi Central and not to a particular tribe in the Zone.
In my own view, when Governor Nwifuru completes his constitutionally permitted two terms, and assuredly, he will be re-elected, there is a strong belief that he will support the emergence of an Ezza person as his successor.
I have had the privilege of discussing this particular issue with the Governor where he indicated that an Ezza candidate is possible if they could eschew their usual politics of disunity. I do not mean to say he had already chosen the Ezza clan to produce the next governor after 2031. Nevertheless, I know him as a man of integrity who believes in equity, natural justice and fairness. After all, the Governor himself is also a product of equity, justice and fairness. This will help in shaping up his decision.
ARGUMENT OF THE OPPOSITION.
Despite the opposition’s argument that Ezza man does not occupy a strategic position in Nwifurus' administration that would ordinarily qualify him to be endorsed by him. Yes, there may be no new generation of financially influential political actors comparable to the late Engr Fidelis Kings Nweze or former SSG, Chief Kenneth Ugbala. I completely disagree with the opposition's position, as political endorsement does not solely depend on the juicy position a politician occupies or his financial strength.
Therefore, the question I would rather like to ask the opposition is, must political succession be determined by financial status and not by merit, capacity, competence, etc?
I do not think so and the Governor Nwifuru I know does not necessarily need to place a preferred successor in a strategic office before the person can emerge.
POLITICS IS NOT A CHECKLIST.
The weakness in the opposition’s insinuation, which I consider baseless is the assumption that political succession must follow a predetermined checklist. Gov Nwifuru may not need to have an Ezza man as Speaker or appoint him Secretary to the State Government, nominate a Minister, Ambassador or head of a major political structure before him or her could be acceptable.
At times, succession happens by Grace, trust, political loyalty, acceptability, experience, demographics or geographical considerations and especially the ability of a candidate to protect the interests of the outgoing Governor.
Then, do not forget that the ultimate power giver, God Almighty still has a role to play in the governor's decision. Also, luck should be considered, as the person who will eventually become the preferred candidate may not even be a prominent political figure or serving in the current administration.
Therefore, it will be premature to conclude that, because no Ezza politician currently occupies a very critical political office at the State and Federal levels, Gov Nwifuru cannot support them to succeed him.
Since assuming office, to the best of my knowledge, Governor Nwifuru has made significant political appointments from the Ezza tribe. The appointment of Chief Press secretary and seven commissioners from Ezza is an indication that the governor understands Ezza political relevance.
2031 is still five years away.
Political structures will change, new alliances will be formed, while existing ones may even collapse. New political figures will gain influence, and some of today’s political heavyweights may become useless. During that period, an Ezza politician will certainly emerge as the "best option" candidate positioned to take over from His Excellency, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
Finally, and I admonish my people, you can take my word to the bank, for the Governor to look towards the Ezza direction, Ezza, and I refer particularly to the North and South, must prove to the Governor that they mean business by voting for him massively in the 2027 election. I bet you, and I want anyone to challenge me; if the Governor failed to win in both Ezza South and Ezza North local government areas in 2027, an Ezza man will not succeed him.
So, ndi Ezza wherever they may find themselves in Ebonyi State, must be prepared to do everything at their disposal to re-elect FON convincingly in 2027 to make their dream come true.
Chief Celestine Kojos Ekechi
(Omemma Mgburugburu 1 of Ezza Ezekuna).
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