LG chairmanship: Ishielu stakeholders demand power shift to Ezzagu
A cross section of stakeholders of Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have advocated that the 2026 chairmanship seat should be zoned to the Ezzagu community for equity, justice and fairness.
The agitation was sequel to the planned solidarity rally on Monday, October 26, 2025 by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the reelection of the incumbent chairman, Mrs Ifeoma Agwu.
A statement issued by the APC chairman of the council, Ikechukwu Abba, said the ‘one-million-man march’ is for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Chairman of the council, Mrs Peace Ifeoma Agwu.
However, in a swift reaction, a group, the Concerned Stakeholders of Ishielu Local Government Area, noted that they were shocked and disappointed at the inclusion of the reelection of the incumbent council boss in the agenda of the planned rally.
A leader of the group, Felx Ukpabi, advocated that it was the turn of Ezzagu zone to produce the next council chairman in August 2026.
He emphasized that while they support any rally targeted for the reelection of President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru, Ezzagu zone should produce the next chairman.
“As everyone knows, it’s the turn of Ezzagu Zone to produce the next chairman of Ishielu LGA. This is not just a matter of zoning, but a principle of fairness and equity that has guided our local government for years.
“We strongly object to the endorsement of Hon. Chief Mrs Peace Ifeoma Agwu, as it undermines the rotational arrangement and disregards the aspirations of Ezzagu Zone.
“We urge all stakeholders to reject this imposition and demand that the APC leadership respects the zoning arrangement. It’s time for Ezzagu Zone to take the reins, and we should support a candidate from that zone.
“We support the government and reelection of our God given President Bola Tinubu and our Dear Governor prince builder Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru and will deliver 100 percent votes for APC in 2027 general elections,” Ukpabi said.
Meanwhile, as interested contenders intensify consultations for the council position, a veteran journalist and former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Benjamin Nworie, has taken the lead in the race for the Ishielu LGA chairmanship election.
Nworie, a former member of the Governing Board of the Ebonyi Broadcasting Cooperation, EBBC, said his aspiration would address the marginalization of Ezzagu Zone and equally consolidate on the achievements of the Governor Nwifuru’s government in the council area.
He said, “My aspiration will address the marginalization and injustice to Ezzagu Zone for over two decades. If not for the intervention of Governor Francis Nwifuru in the construction of Ezillo-Ezzagu Road, otherwise, there’s no access route to the populated Ezzagu community.
“It is worrisome that despite the voting strength of Ishielu Local Government, Ezzagu lacks all basic social amenities like road, electricity, water and hospital.”