Ebonyi Governor Nwifuru Threatens Council Chairs: Deliver APC in 2027 or Be Sacked

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has issued a strong caution to local government chairmen, stating that any who fail to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their respective councils during the 2027 general elections will face immediate removal from office. Governor Nwifuru delivered this warning on Tuesday, September 1, during the official inauguration ceremony for the newly appointed Chairmen and Vice Chairmen across the state's 13 local government areas.

Speaking in Abakaliki, Governor Nwifuru explicitly declared, "Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councillor." He emphasized his desire for this directive to be widely publicized, adding, "I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we would not speak in secret." The governor further stressed that the chairmen are aware of the party's expected dominance in the state, asserting, "The chairmen know we would win in the state and if they choose to sleep and allow others take their areas, they would be removed."

He urged the newly sworn-in chairmen to prioritize grassroots mobilization, reminding them that "charity begins from home." He mandated them to exert maximum effort to ensure a 100 percent victory for the APC in 2027 within their jurisdictions.

Addressing the Vice Chairmen, Governor Nwifuru advised them to foster collaborative relationships with their chairmen and steer clear of any form of internal competition. He likened their roles to "spare tyres inside the car boot," explaining that "it’s only when the tyre refuses to function or collapses irreversibly that they can function." He instructed them to remain readily available to their chairmen, stay informed about daily council activities, and avoid succumbing to "gossip and ill advice from your friends against your chairmen because that will destroy your relationship with them."

To illustrate the potential for progression, Nwifuru referenced his current deputy, who previously served as a council chairman. He highlighted her commendable performance in that role, which ultimately led to her current position. The governor remarked, "She performed in ways people saw her and believe she could do the work of a deputy governor," and concluded, "My deputy is doing the work perfectly and presently enjoying the position."