By CHARLES IWUOHA

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Monday declared that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have no place in the state in the 2027 general election.

The APC leaders made the declaration during a rally held at Abakaliki Township Stadium, where stakeholders of the party formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.

The endorsement rally, organised by Governor Nwifuru and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, attracted political leaders from across the South-East, including Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, who represented Governor Peter Mbah.

Addressing party supporters, Yilwatda dismissed speculations that Ebonyi State had been conceded to the PDP ahead of the next general election.

He said the APC would retain all elective positions in the state and secure victory for President Tinubu.

“We will return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru in 2027. We want to return all APC senators, members of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates.

“Nobody has conceded Ebonyi to the PDP. Therefore, there is no vacancy in Ebonyi State. Ebonyi PDP has no place and there is no vacancy at all in the Government House come 2027,” he said.

The APC national chairman commended residents of the state for their support for the President and urged them to re-elect Tinubu in recognition of what he described as the administration’s infrastructural development and human capital investments in the South-East.

Speaking at the event, Governor Nwifuru declared that President Tinubu remained the only presidential candidate for the people of Ebonyi State in the 2027 election.

He described Ebonyi as a stronghold of the APC and vowed that the party would deliver the state for the President.

“Ebonyi has no other presidential candidate other than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and we will return him in the presidential election,” Nwifuru said.

The governor also dismissed claims that some political actors had secured presidential backing to reclaim the state for the PDP.

“We are standing here today to tell the whole world, especially those who have used the President’s name to orchestrate division and confusion in this state, that we have only one party and that is the APC,” he said.

Nwifuru further commended President Tinubu for appointing Senator Umahi as Minister of Works, describing him as a performing minister.

He said the President had demonstrated commitment to the development of Ebonyi State and the South-East through key infrastructure projects.

Also speaking, Umahi said the Tinubu administration had initiated unprecedented projects in Ebonyi State and across the South-East region.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done a lot not just for Ebonyi State but for the entire South-East and other geopolitical zones,” he said.

The minister described Ebonyi as a one-party state under Governor Nwifuru and expressed confidence that the APC would record another electoral victory in 2027.

The rally caused significant disruption to human and vehicular movement across Abakaliki, with major roads and adjoining streets experiencing heavy traffic gridlock as thousands of party supporters converged on the state capital for the event.

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