The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party is demanding that Governor Francis Nwifuru withdraw his recent comments targeting opposition figures, apologise publicly, or resign.
The call came after remarks the Governor made on Tuesday at the swearing-in of newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies in Abakaliki.
Speaking on a live radio programme on Friday, PDP Publicity Secretary Darlington Peter-Onwe described the Governor’s words as inciting and a risk to peace ahead of the 2027 elections. He said the comments have already led to hostility toward opposition members and journalists in the state.
“The Governor should apologise to Ebonyians or resign. He should retract the statement or step down because he has violated the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy,” Peter-Onwe said.
He cited Section 14 of the Constitution, which states that the primary duty of government is the security of lives and property. “By making such statements, he is now the one insinuating violence,” he added.
Peter-Onwe contrasted Nwifuru’s approach with that of other governors, pointing to Abia State Governor Alex Otti. “Look at what Governor Alex Otti did when there was a disruption in the education sector. He came out openly and apologised, admitting that it shouldn’t have happened. That is the true strength of a leader,” he said.
The controversy stems from Nwifuru’s response to claims that APC members were harassing critics. At the ceremony, the Governor issued a direct warning to the opposition.
“Political opposition in the state are alleging harassment and intimidation by the ruling All Progressives Congress. They will see real threats at the right time,” he said.
He also instructed the new council chairmen to secure total APC control at the grassroots before 2027, and warned of consequences for any chairman who loses their area.
“You must not allow the opposition to win in your respective local government councils during the 2027 general elections,” Nwifuru told them. “Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office. We will use your councillor and remove you. If you allow anybody to come to your Local Government council and mess up, deal with that person mercilessly.”
The Governor added that he wanted the remarks to be public: “I want this information to make the headlines because, as politicians, we do not speak in secret.”
At the time of this report, efforts to get a response from the Ebonyi APC were unsuccessful.
