...dismisses claims of double standard, clarifies opposition to Odii’s 2023 ambition, insists power rotation is key to peace, equity and political stability
ABAKALIKI — Former Governor of Ebonyi State and former Senator, Chief Sam Ominyi Egwu, Ph.D., CON, has reaffirmed his commitment to the principle of power rotation among the three senatorial zones of the state, insisting that Ebonyi North should retain the governorship position until 2031 in the interest of equity, justice and political stability.
Egwu stated this in a response issued by his Media Office to an open letter written by Mr. Chika Nwaoba concerning the political situation in Ebonyi State and the 2027 governorship ambition of Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.
The former governor maintained that his position on zoning was not motivated by personal interests or opposition to any individual, but by the need to sustain the political understanding that has guided the distribution of the governorship position in the state since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
According to the statement, the response became necessary to correct what it described as historical inaccuracies and misconceptions contained in Nwaoba’s letter, while acknowledging aspects of the writer’s assessment of Egwu’s administration that it considered factual.
The Media Office noted that Nwaoba had recognised Egwu’s achievements between 1999 and 2007, particularly in free education, overseas scholarship programmes, economic empowerment and infrastructure development.
It described these initiatives as enduring legacies that contributed to the development of Ebonyi State during its formative years.
The statement, however, faulted the suggestion that an agreement existed in 1992 preventing the zone that produced the state capital from producing the first elected governor.
It explained that the decision to site the capital in Abakaliki was based on available administrative infrastructure and convenience, rather than an arrangement to exchange the capital for the governorship.
The statement further maintained that Egwu emerged as governor through a democratic party primary in 1998 and was subsequently elected by the people in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.
On the creation of Ebonyi State, the Media Office acknowledged the significant contributions of the late Ezeogo Akanu Ibiam but argued that the state’s creation resulted from the collective efforts of several political leaders and founding fathers.
It said the narrative that linked the creation of Ebonyi State primarily to the attendance of the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, at Akanu Ibiam’s burial overlooked the broader political struggle and collaborative efforts that preceded the creation of the state.
The statement clarified that Ebonyi State was created alongside five other states, with the announcement made during a live radio and television broadcast on October 1, 1996.
Addressing his role in the 2023 governorship election, Egwu’s Media Office said the former governor had consistently supported the principle of zoning and had worked towards ensuring that Ebonyi North produced the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in that election.
According to the statement, Egwu supported the emergence of a candidate from the northern part of the state following the completion of the eight-year tenure of former Governor David Umahi from Ebonyi South.
It alleged that Egwu made efforts to persuade aspirants of Izzi extraction in the PDP to consolidate their support behind one candidate to improve their chances of securing the party’s ticket.
The statement specifically recounted interventions involving former and serving political figures, including Senator Nguji Ngele, who was said to have appealed to the aspirants to rally behind a consensus candidate.
It claimed that the interventions failed because the aspirants were unwilling to withdraw from the contest, thereby creating an opening for Odii, who eventually won the PDP governorship primary.
The Media Office further maintained that Egwu did not support Odii’s emergence as the party’s candidate because he believed the governorship should go to Ebonyi North at the time.
It explained that Egwu’s subsequent participation in the party’s activities after the primary was an expression of party loyalty and political discipline rather than a reversal of his position on zoning.
The statement also recalled an exchange allegedly held between Egwu and Odii during the primary process, in which the former governor reportedly warned that Odii’s emergence as the PDP candidate could make it difficult for him to win the main election.
The Media Office said the eventual outcome of the election reinforced Egwu’s earlier political calculations.
On reports or speculation surrounding meetings involving Egwu and other political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 governorship election, the statement said any such engagement should not be interpreted as a campaign against Odii or any other individual.
It described the meetings as consultative engagements intended to sustain the principle of zoning, promote political inclusion and preserve the peace and stability of the state.
The Media Office stressed that Egwu’s position was rooted in the belief that equitable power rotation would prevent any senatorial zone from dominating the state’s political leadership at the expense of others.
It outlined the succession of governors since 1999 as follows: Egwu of Ebonyi North served from 1999 to 2007; Martin Elechi of Ebonyi Central governed from 2007 to 2015; David Umahi of Ebonyi South served from 2015 to 2023; while the incumbent governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, from Ebonyi North, assumed office in 2023.
On this basis, the statement argued that Ebonyi North should retain the governorship until 2031, after which Ebonyi Central would be positioned to take its turn under the rotation arrangement.
It described the position as a matter of political fairness and long-term stability rather than an attempt by any individual to dictate the direction of the state’s politics.
The Media Office added that supporting zoning was not an act of double standard, arguing that party loyalty, political pragmatism and the pursuit of equity could coexist within a democratic system.
### Egwu dismisses allegations of personal interests
The statement also rejected suggestions that Egwu’s position was influenced by personal or family interests involving prominent political figures in the state.
It described such claims as speculative and unrelated to the fundamental question of equitable power rotation.
On the performance of the current administration, the Media Office said it was unfair to dismiss the government as the worst without considering the relative nature of leadership assessment and the need for objective evaluation.
It noted that Egwu was neither a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) nor part of the incumbent administration, describing him instead as a statesman concerned about the political future of Ebonyi State.
According to the statement, the former governor believes that disagreements over political succession should be addressed through dialogue, strategic engagement and respect for established political understandings rather than endless litigation, media attacks and divisive rhetoric.
The Media Office nevertheless emphasised that Egwu respects Odii as a businessman and politician, acknowledging his constitutional right to seek elective office.
It maintained, however, that the central issue was whether the existing zoning arrangement and considerations of equity supported another governorship tenure for Ebonyi North ahead of the 2027 election.
### Calls for issue-based political engagement
In its concluding remarks, the Media Office described Egwu as a foundational figure in modern Ebonyi State, particularly in education and human capital development.
It urged Nwaoba to channel his energy into promoting his preferred candidate through issue-based campaigns, factual arguments and constructive political engagement rather than personal attacks against the former governor.
The statement called on political stakeholders to prioritise cohesion, peace and maturity as the state approaches the 2027 general elections.
It stressed that Ebonyi’s political future should be guided by justice, equity, inclusion and a shared commitment to the development of the state.
The response was signed by the Media Office of Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu, Ph.D., CON.
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