By Jude Opara
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has warned elected local government chairmen that they could lose their positions if the All Progressives Congress, (APC), fails to win their respective council areas in the 2027 elections.
Nwifuru issued the warning during the inauguration of newly elected local government chairmen in Abakaliki, directing them to mobilise their councils for the ruling party ahead of the elections.
The governor declared that any chairman who fails to deliver his local government to the APC would be removed, saying the directive was not a secret and could be reported publicly.
“As a local government chairman, if you like, go and sleep. So that another person will take over your house. You will not stop us from winning. We will win,” Nwifuru said.
He added that the chairmen would be removed after the APC’s victory if they failed to secure their respective council areas for the party.
Nwifuru also urged the council chairmen to prevent opposition activities from gaining ground in their areas, warning them to deal “mercilessly” with anyone who attempts to disrupt the APC’s political dominance.
The governor’s remarks were reinforced by the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Eze Paul Ituma, who warned opposition politicians against operating in the council.
In a video circulating online, Ituma declared that anyone who opposed Nwifuru or the APC would be treated as an enemy.
He said Ohaukwu had been “cordoned off,” adding that individuals who did not support the APC should stay away from the local government.
The statements have raised concerns over the tone of political mobilization ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly the call for local government officials to confront opposition activities in their areas.
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