Ebonyi Governor's Ultimatum: APC Chairmen Face Ouster Over 2027 Election Failures

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has issued a stringent warning to the newly inaugurated chairmen of the state's 13 local government areas: failure to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their respective councils during the 2027 general elections will result in their immediate removal from office. This stern directive was delivered in Abakaliki during the inauguration ceremony, where Nwifuru emphasized that the chairmen would be held directly accountable for the ruling party's performance at the grassroots level.

Governor Nwifuru explicitly stated that any chairman who does not deliver a win for the APC in their council will be replaced by a councillor. He underscored the public nature of this warning, instructing that the information be widely disseminated in newspapers, asserting that as politicians, such declarations should not be made in secret. The governor further cautioned against complacency, warning that those who fail to mobilize voters effectively for the APC risk losing their positions, regardless of the party's overall state-level success. He urged the new officials to prevent opposition political parties from gaining any foothold in their areas, stressing the principle that "charity begins at home" and directing them to strive for a 100 percent vote for the APC in 2027.

Beyond electoral responsibilities, Governor Nwifuru also offered guidance on administrative conduct, specifically addressing potential disagreements or rivalry between chairmen and their deputies. He advised the chairmen to avoid conflicts that could undermine council administration. To the vice-chairmen, Nwifuru offered a unique analogy, describing them as "spare tyres inside the car boot," emphasizing their crucial role in supporting their principals while remaining prepared to step in if the substantive chairmen are unable to perform their duties. He urged them to maintain a close working relationship with the chairmen, stay informed about daily council activities, and resist gossip or ill advice that could damage their rapport.

The governor used the career trajectory of his own deputy as an illustrative example, highlighting how her effective performance as a council chairperson significantly contributed to her credentials for higher political office. He noted that her stellar work at the grassroots level garnered public trust, proving her capability for the deputy governorship, a role she is now executing "perfectly."

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated council chairmen, Timothy Nwachi, the chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, expressed profound gratitude to Governor Nwifuru and other APC stakeholders for the opportunity to serve. Nwachi pledged the commitment of the chairmen to justify the confidence reposed in them, specifically promising to ensure a "landslide" victory for the APC in the 2027 elections. Among the notable figures inaugurated were Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Chidi Nwode, brother of Governor Nwifuru’s wife, highlighting familial connections within the new political appointments.