By joshua Ebonyi 2027: Nwofe, Nwagu clash Over NDC ticket
By Our Correspondent
The governorship candidacy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ebonyi State has become a subject of controversy following conflicting claims by High Chief Boniface Nwofe and Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu over who holds the party’s ticket for the 2027 election.
Nwofe, who insists that he is the party’s governorship candidate, has challenged the claim that Nwagu is the recognised flag bearer, saying a reversed list of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would soon be published to clarify the disputed position.
In a statement, Nwofe urged party members, supporters and residents of the state to remain calm while awaiting further clarification from the party and the relevant electoral records.
The controversy follows reports presenting Nwagu as the NDC governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, with a pledge to conduct a peaceful, issue-based campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.
Responding to the reports, Nwofe maintained that public declarations and media accounts should not be regarded as conclusive evidence of the party’s recognised candidate until the relevant records and official position are established.
“I have noted the reports circulating in the media concerning the NDC governorship candidacy in Ebonyi State. It is important that the people understand the actual position of the party and are not misled by conflicting claims,” he said.
Nwofe added that the reversed list, which he said had been affirmed by the NDC, would be published soon to clarify the situation.
“The reversed list by INEC, as affirmed by the NDC, will be published in no distant time to clarify the situation. I urge our supporters and the general public to remain calm while the relevant information is made available,” he said.
He called on party members and supporters not to allow the disagreement to undermine their confidence or distract them from preparations for the forthcoming election.
According to him, the dispute should be resolved through the party’s established procedures and applicable electoral regulations rather than competing claims in the media.
Although he acknowledged the importance of peaceful political engagement, Nwofe said political actors also had a responsibility to ensure that information presented to the electorate was accurate and supported by verifiable records.
He maintained that Ebonyi voters deserved clarity on the party’s candidate to enable them to make informed political choices ahead of the election.
On his governorship ambition, Nwofe said he was seeking the office to provide purposeful leadership and address development challenges across the state.
He identified education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, employment, security and economic empowerment as priority areas of his proposed administration.
The governorship hopeful said his vision included creating opportunities for young people and women, supporting farmers and entrepreneurs, and promoting balanced development across Ebonyi’s 13 local government areas.
He added that his ambition was driven by a desire to improve residents’ living conditions and ensure that public resources translated into tangible benefits for communities.
Nwofe expressed confidence in his political aspiration but pledged to pursue it through lawful democratic means.
He also appealed to political stakeholders to exercise restraint in their public statements and avoid remarks capable of heightening tensions among party members and supporters.
“I appeal to our supporters to remain calm, resilient and prepared. Do not be discouraged by conflicting reports. Continue to follow developments through credible and authorised channels as we await the publication of the reversed list,” he said.
The dispute comes as political parties and prospective candidates prepare for the 2027 general election.
However, the respective claims by Nwofe and Nwagu have yet to be independently resolved by the publication of the electoral records referenced in Nwofe’s statement.
The official list and relevant documentation would be necessary to establish the recognised candidate in accordance with applicable electoral procedures.