2027: Senate Not For Business Moguls, Says Senator Nwebonyi

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has said the Nigerian Senate is not a platform for business moguls, but for individuals with the intellectual capacity to make laws for the country.

Nwebonyi also dismissed claims of an alleged zoning arrangement restricting senators from the district to a single term, insisting that no constitutional or political agreement exists barring him from seeking re-election in 2027.

He spoke in Abakaliki while reacting to comments attributed to his opponent and senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chikadoli Ojimba, who reportedly urged him to step down on the basis of an alleged one-term agreement in Ebonyi North.

The senator maintained that the purported arrangement had no binding force, adding that precedent existed for senators from the zone to serve two terms.

“I am not the first senator from Ebonyi North to seek a second term. Senator Sam Egwu, the first civilian governor of Ebonyi State, served two terms in the Senate reprzesenting Ebonyi North. By the grace of God, I will also serve a second term,” he said.

Nwebonyi declared that he had no formidable challenger ahead of the 2027 general election, expressing confidence in his political strength and record of performance.

According to him, his tenure in the Senate has facilitated over 400 kilometres of federal road projects across Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He also listed the construction of 10 kilometres of concrete roads, scholarships for more than 500 students, and agricultural empowerment programmes benefiting over 10,000 farmers as part of his achievements.

The lawmaker said his interventions in agriculture had improved livelihoods and boosted productivity among beneficiaries, adding that many had become successful entrepreneurs.

Nwebonyi further said his position in the Senate leadership had enabled him to attract more development projects to Ebonyi North and Ebonyi State in general.

He cautioned against what he described as monetised politics, stressing that public office should be driven by service, experience, and competence.

“Politics is not an avenue for making money. Those coming into politics with such expectations should reconsider. Public service is about sacrifice and service to the people,” he said.

The senator expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would retain dominance in Ebonyi State in the 2027 general elections, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as increased federal presence in the South-East, particularly Ebonyi State.

He also reaffirmed his support for Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, describing him as a unifying leader who had strengthened cohesion across the state.

Nwebonyi dismissed reports of divisions within the Izzi clan, insisting the area remained united under the current administration.

“We are united, focused and committed to the progress of Ebonyi State. The politics of division is behind us,” he added.

He maintained that his re-election bid would be anchored on performance and continued delivery of constituency projects to Ebonyi North Senatorial District.