Ebonyi Government Rejects Nwifuru-Wike Feud Claims, Points Finger at PDP

The Ebonyi State Government has vehemently denied reports suggesting a disagreement between Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The state administration further accused certain factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of deliberately misrepresenting the governor’s statements to ignite unnecessary tension between the two prominent political figures.

Ikeuwa Omebeh, the state’s Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, issued a clarifying statement on Tuesday. Omebeh asserted that Governor Nwifuru never issued any form of threat against the FCT minister during a significant endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates, which took place on June 15 at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki.

“At no time did His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, issue any threat against the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike,” Omebeh stated. He elaborated that during his address at the event, “the Governor only cautioned some opposition elements who are fanning the embers of crisis in the state and spreading fake news and propaganda in the name of Barr. Nyesom Wike to desist from such acts.”

The commissioner clarified that the governor’s use of the word “consume” during the rally was purely metaphorical. He emphasized that it was directed at individuals who chose to operate outside the law despite prior warnings.

Omebeh explained, “The term ‘consume’ was a metaphorical expression indicating that individuals operating outside the law would face its full consequences if they failed to retrace their steps.”

He maintained that Governor Nwifuru and Minister Wike share a cordial relationship built on mutual respect, asserting that attempts by “PDP factions and paid media hirelings” to create an impression of a feud would ultimately fail. Omebeh urged the PDP to concentrate on resolving its internal challenges rather than critiquing the Ebonyi State Government.

“A party that has been unable to resolve its internal crisis for years lacks the moral rectitude to comment on governance issues,” he remarked.

The commissioner also claimed that the PDP’s various factions in Ebonyi were “almost non-existent” and posed no significant threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections. He issued a stern warning that individuals disseminating false information and propaganda against the state government should be prepared to face legal repercussions.

Omebeh’s statement followed public reactions to Governor Nwifuru’s remarks at the aforementioned endorsement rally. During his speech, the governor had alleged that some individuals, identifying as allies of Wike, were circulating claims that President Tinubu had ceded Ebonyi State to the PDP.

“Some people are going around and saying that they discussed with President Tinubu and that the president has given Ebonyi to PDP,” the governor was quoted as saying. He added, “They said Nyesom Wike is their leader and that Wike said the president has given Ebonyi to him. And we say to them, ‘Eeyaah!’”

Governor Nwifuru further vowed that Ebonyi State would remain steadfastly under the APC. He declared, “We are not afraid. We only hold ourselves because our people are with us. Nobody should push us because we have all it takes to consume whoever is trying us; we have all it takes to destroy whoever is trying us.”

He concluded by sending a direct message: “We’re sending a message to them directly or indirectly that we’re members of the All Progressives Congress and that’s where Ebonyi people belong. And whoever is trying to resolve, the outcome will be very funny for him.”