By Sandra Kenneth
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to retract statements directed at opposition figures, tender an unreserved apology, or resign from office, alleging his rhetoric threatens peace in the state.
Addressing the media during a radio broadcast, Ebonyi PDP Publicity Secretary Darlington Peter-Onwe accused the governor of making statements capable of inciting political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to Peter-Onwe, the governor’s recent remarks have already heightened hostility toward opposition members and media personnel.
“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. “Section 14 of the Constitution explicitly provides that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property. By making such statements, he is now the one insinuating violence.”
Comparing Nwifuru’s leadership to other state executives, Peter-Onwe cited Abia State Governor Alex Otti as a reference point for political accountability, noting how Otti publicly apologized following a disruption in his state’s education sector.
The opposition’s reaction follows comments made by Governor Nwifuru during the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected local government council chairmen and deputies in Abakaliki. Responding to allegations that ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters were harassing political opponents, Nwifuru dismissed the claims and issued a counter-warning.
“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,” Nwifuru stated.
The governor instructed the newly inaugurated chairmen to maintain APC dominance across their domains ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that failure to secure victories would result in removal from office. He urged the chairmen to “deal with that person mercilessly” if anyone disrupted their local government areas, emphasizing that politicians “do not speak in secret.”
Efforts to reach APC representatives in Ebonyi State for a response were unsuccessful at press time.
