2031: Federal Lawmaker, Nwobasi Urges Ezza Nation To Vote For APC
By Alex Odeh | Pan Afric Reporters
The member representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Joseph Nwobasi, has urged the people of Ezza Ezekunna Nation in Ebonyi State to throw their weights behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support Governor Francis Nwifuru’s re-election bid in 2027.
Nwobasi said the support would strengthen the political position of the Ezza people and enhance their chances of producing the state governor in 2031.
The federal lawmaker made the call on Sunday while speaking with journalists in Abakaliki, urging Ezza people across Ebonyi State to unite behind APC, President Bola Tinubu, Governor Nwifuru and other candidates of the party in the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the Ezza people should prioritise political unity in 2027 while pursuing their governorship ambition in 2031.
“My message to my people, the people of Ezza clan as a whole, not only Ezza South and Ishielu LGAs, but Ezza as a whole, is that let’s come together and support APC. Let’s come together and support His Excellency, Right Honourable Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, this time,” he said.
Nwobasi said the Ezza people expected the APC to consider the clan for the governorship position in 2031, irrespective of the local government area from which the eventual candidate emerged.
He said: “Come 2031, our plea, our intention and our expectation is that the party should kindly hand over to an Ezza man. Irrespective of where the person is coming from, as far as the person is an Ezza man, let that be that Ezza has taken their own share.”
The lawmaker expressed confidence that continued support for the APC would strengthen Ezza’s political bargaining power, urging members of the clan to mobilise for the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
On his own re-election bid, Nwobasi dismissed concerns over the emergence of candidates from other political parties, saying his grassroots mobilisation and consultations had strengthened his confidence ahead of the election.
“I have no fear of anybody. Everybody has the right to contest, and you have the right to vote and to be voted for. Likewise, every other person,” he said.
Nwobasi also said effective representation should be measured by tangible development projects and interventions in the lives of constituents rather than personal wealth or the size of a lawmaker’s residence.
He identified legislation, legislative oversight and attracting development projects to the grassroots as his major responsibilities, adding that his records in previous public offices could be verified through projects executed in communities he had represented.
“I am there to represent people. Whatever is due to the people, I think I should take it to them,” he said.
The federal lawmaker cited a primary healthcare centre, school infrastructure and a bridge among projects he said he executed or facilitated during his previous tenures as a councillor and member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
He further disclosed that he was currently sponsoring at least 13 students through scholarships, including payment of their school fees and accommodation, while planning another empowerment programme for his constituents.
On allegations circulating on social media that he had failed to fulfil a pledge to support the construction of a church, Nwobasi said the commitment remained active, explaining that he was still gathering building materials.
He said the pledge was made during his 2023 campaign and maintained that his tenure had not expired, giving him sufficient time to fulfil the commitment.
On preparations for the 2027 elections, Nwobasi urged eligible voters who had registered to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, saying he had directed party members to encourage residents to retrieve their cards.
He also stressed the need for regular consultations and strategic planning by political parties, noting that sustained engagement with party members and grassroots mobilisation were critical to electoral success.
The lawmaker reiterated his appeal to Ezza people to support the APC in 2027, expressing optimism that the party would consider the clan’s governorship aspiration in 2031.
