Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has warned the newly inaugurated chairmen of the state’s 13 local government areas that they will lose their positions if they fail to deliver their councils to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Nwifuru issued the warning on Tuesday in Abakaliki while inaugurating the newly elected chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 13 councils.
“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councilor. I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we would not speak in secret,” the Governor said.
“The chairmen know we would win in the state, and if they choose to sleep and allow others to take their areas, they would be removed.”
The Governor directed the chairmen to work towards securing a 100 per cent victory for the APC in their respective councils in the 2027 general elections.
He urged them not to allow opposition parties to gain ground in their areas, saying, “charity begins at home.”
Nwifuru’s remarks came shortly after the APC swept the August 22 local government elections in Ebonyi, winning all 13 chairmanship positions and the 171 councillorship seats contested, according to election reports.
The Governor also urged the council chairmen to maintain a cordial relationship with their deputies and avoid unnecessary rivalry.
Addressing the vice-chairmen, he compared their positions to “spare tyres inside the car boot”, stressing that they should support their principals and only assume greater responsibility when necessary.
“You should always be available to the chairmen and ask them about your council’s daily activities. Do not listen to gossip and ill advice from your friends against your chairmen because that will destroy your relationship with them,” Nwifuru said.
He cited his Deputy as an example of how effective service at the local government level could lead to higher political office.
According to him, his Deputy had previously served as a council chairman before eventually becoming deputy governor.
“She performed in ways people saw her and believed she could do the work of a deputy governor. My deputy is doing the work perfectly and presently enjoying the position,” he said.
Nwifuru also issued a warning to opposition parties in the state, telling his new council bosses to strengthen the APC’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a separate warning during the inauguration, the Governor was reported to have told the opposition to expect a tougher political contest, while dismissing allegations that APC supporters were harassing political opponents.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated chairmen, Timothy Nwachi, chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, thanked Nwifuru and other APC stakeholders for giving them the opportunity to serve.
“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records a landslide in 2027,” Nwachi said.
Among the newly inaugurated chairmen are Osborne Nweze Umahi, son of Minister of Works David Umahi, who will lead Ohaozara Local Government Area, and Chidi Nwode, brother of the Governor’s wife, who was elected chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area.
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