ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru, has expressed confidence in securing re-election in the 2027 general elections, saying his administration’s achievements and acceptability among residents would give him an advantage. 

Nwifuru made the statement after casting his vote in Saturday’s local government election at his hometown of Oferekpe Agbaja, Izzi Local Government Area of the state. 

The governor, who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, acknowledged that other political parties would field candidates for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 elections. 

“I am the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, but you should expect other political parties to field candidates for various positions in the elections,” he said. 

Nwifuru, however, said political opponents should be reasonable, competitive and capable of identifying the lapses of the incumbent administration. 

“One should, however, expect to meet opponents who are reasonable, competitive and ready to expose your lapses,” he said. 

“An opponent is supposed to teach you what you don’t know because he will not hide your lapses.” 

The governor attributed his confidence in winning a second term to his acceptability among the people and what he described as the numerous developmental strides of his administration. 

He also attributed the peaceful and orderly conduct of the local government election to the level playing field provided for participating political parties and candidates. 

“The APC allowed the people to choose who will lead them at the grassroots, and that is why the support is massive,” Nwifuru said. 

“I believe in the candidates of our party and their abilities to deliver the goods to the people who voted them.” 

He said the participation of candidates from other political parties also contributed to the smooth conduct of the election. 

“I believe other parties presented their own candidates, and that is why we are having a seamless process,” he said. 

On his own political future, Nwifuru said he would prefer to be endorsed by the people based on the performance of his administration. 

“My desire is for the people to endorse me because that is the right thing. My administration has been working for the people and will continue doing so,” he said. 

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that the ruling APC fielded candidates across all 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ebonyi State. 

Among the notable APC candidates were Osbourne Umahi, who contested the chairmanship of Ohaozara LGA; Prince Ifechukwu Ogbufia, the incumbent chairman seeking re-election in Onicha LGA; and Engr. Timothy Nwachi, who contested for a second term in Afikpo LGA. 

The APC’s participation across all 13 LGAs was seen as part of efforts to consolidate its grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

In Ebonyi State, elected local government chairmen and councillors are expected to serve a three-year tenure across the state’s 13 LGAs and 171 wards. 

The tenure applies to both chairmen and councillors elected under the state’s local government electoral framework, after which fresh elections are expected to be conducted. 

The local government election forms part of the state-level electoral process through which grassroots leadership is selected in Ebonyi State.