Ahead of the APC primary election scheduled for April and May 2026, Ohaukwu people have intensified punitive plans to endorse political office holders such as His Excellency Rt Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru FNIOB FCAI GGCEHF, the Ebonyi State Governor for 2nd term, the current Commissioner for Capital City Development, Chief Sunday Elechi Inyima for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, and His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for 2nd term in office as the President of Nigeria.
Others include, Rt Hon Chinedu Ogba Onah, member Representing Ohaukwu South Constituency, the current Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Hon Mrs Esther Chidiebere Agwu, Member Representing Ohaukwu North Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
According to a source who preferred anonymity, the endorsement became necessary given their antecedents, pedigree, experience, commitment to governance and track records.
For Chief Sunday Elechi Inyima, the source said, has shown interest numerous times but was advised to step outside, which he accepted with equanimity as a party man. Since then, he has never given up in expressing his interest to represent the people of Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency.
Chief Agbalagba according to investigation has been active in the politics of Ebonyi State for a decade, predominantly, during the administration of Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi which he served as a two term Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area before he was appointed Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Housing after the 2015 election and subsequently, Commissioner for Water Resources. He has been serving as the Commissioner for Capital City Development since 2023.
During the build up to the 2023 election, Chief Agbalagba was said to have shown interest for House of Representative but factor ousted him and paved the way for the incumbent House of Rep Member, Hon Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze who served as the Chairman of APC in Ebonyi State before the former Governor joined the party and collapsed all the structures into the party.
Following the political developments in Ohaukwu Local Government Area which benefited Ngbo to have the Chairmanship of Ohaukwu LGA, including the Deputy Speaker and House of Assembly member, too, in interest of equity and fairness, the people of Ohaukwu Local Government Area wants the House of Rep to be zoned to Izhiangbo, with Agbalagba as the preferable option.
However, the two House of Assembly Members should be retained in Ngbo. Though, the Deputy Speaker who is Representing Ohaukwu South Constituency is serving his 2nd term, Ohaukwu people wants him to return for the 3rd time given his performance and to retain the principal position which will be more beneficial to the people of Ohaukwu Local Government Area. For Hon Mrs Esther Agwu, though she is serving her first term, Ohaukwu wants her to return for another term since total peace is yet to be restored in the Effium Zone who was due for the position but because of the crisis that engulfed the zone for years, they were denied the opportunity.
With all indications, Ohaukwu people are expected to turn out en masse on Tuesday, 24th March 2026 to make an official statement, endorsing the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, His Excellency Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru FNIOB FCAI GGCEHF, Rt Hon Chinedu Ogba Onah and Hon Mr Esther Agwu. The event is going to be a historic one as APC faithfuls, across the 15 electoral wards, including Support Groups shall mobilize for this.
Ohaukwu Set to Endorse Nwifuru, Agbalagba, Tinubu, Others Ahead of APC Primaries
As preparations intensify for the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections slated for April and May 2026, stakeholders in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have concluded plans to formally endorse key political office holders for second terms and other elective positions.
Among those pencilled down for endorsement are the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru (FNIOB, FCAI, GGCEHF), for a second term; the Commissioner for Capital City Development, Chief Sunday Elechi Inyima (popularly known as Agbalagba), for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency seat; and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), also for a second term in office.
Others expected to receive the people’s backing include Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogba Onah, the Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and member representing Ohaukwu South Constituency, as well as Hon. Mrs. Esther Chidiebere Agwu, who represents Ohaukwu North Constituency.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that the planned endorsements are rooted in the leaders’ proven track records, administrative experience, and demonstrated commitment to governance and grassroots development.
Speaking on Chief Sunday Elechi Inyima’s political journey, the source noted that despite previously stepping aside in the spirit of party loyalty when advised to do so, he has remained steadfast in his ambition to represent the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, earning respect for his consistency and discipline within party ranks.
Chief Inyima, also known as Agbalagba, has maintained a strong presence in Ebonyi politics for over a decade. He served as a two-term Chairman of the Ohaukwu Local Government Area during the administration of Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi.
Following the 2015 elections, he held key positions as Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Housing, and later Commissioner for Water Resources, before his current appointment as Commissioner for Capital City Development in 2023.
Although he reportedly showed interest in the House of Representatives seat ahead of the 2023 elections, political dynamics at the time favoured the incumbent, Hon. Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze, a former state APC chairman.
Recent political developments within the Ohaukwu Local Government Area have, however, reshaped zoning considerations. With Ngbo bloc currently holding the chairmanship position, as well as representation in both the State Assembly and the Deputy Speakership, there is growing consensus among stakeholders that, in the interest of equity and fairness, the House of Representatives seat should be zoned to Izhiangbo. Chief Inyima has consequently emerged as the preferred candidate for the position.
Despite zoning adjustments, there are strong calls for continuity in the State Assembly. The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogba Onah, though currently serving his second term, is being urged to seek a third term in recognition of his performance and to maintain Ohaukwu’s hold on a principal legislative position.
Similarly, Hon. Mrs. Esther Chidiebere Agwu, who is serving her first term, is being encouraged to return for a second term.
This, stakeholders say, is necessary due to the lingering instability in the Effium zone, which had originally been expected to produce the representative but was unable to do so due to prolonged communal crises.
With momentum building, Ohaukwu stakeholders are expected to turn out in large numbers on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, for what is anticipated to be a historic endorsement rally. The event will see APC faithful drawn from all 15 electoral wards, alongside various support groups, formally declaring their backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Chief Sunday Elechi Inyima, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogba Onah, and Hon. Mrs. Esther Chidiebere Agwu.
The gathering is widely expected to send a strong political signal ahead of the party primaries, reinforcing unity and strategic alignment within the Ohaukwu political bloc.