The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to retract his recent remarks about the opposition or resign from office.
The party accused the governor of making comments capable of heightening political tension and potentially fuelling violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a live radio programme on Friday, PDP Publicity Secretary in Ebonyi State, Darlington Peter-Onwe, urged Nwifuru to take responsibility for his comments and apologise to the people of the state.
“The Governor should apologise to Ebonyians or resign. He should retract the statement or step down,” Peter-Onwe said.
He referenced Section 14 of the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that the protection of lives and property remains a primary responsibility of government.
The PDP spokesman also urged the governor to emulate leaders who acknowledge mistakes and apologise to their people when necessary, citing Abia State Governor Alex Otti as an example.
Nwifuru’s Controversial Remarks
The PDP’s reaction followed comments made by Nwifuru during the swearing-in of newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies in Abakaliki on Tuesday.
The governor was responding to allegations of harassment and intimidation of opposition members by APC supporters when he warned:
“They will see real threats at the right time.”
Nwifuru also directed the newly sworn-in council chairmen to ensure that the APC retains control of their respective local government areas in the 2027 elections.
He warned that chairmen who failed to deliver their councils to the APC could be removed from office.
The governor further stated that he was making the comments openly and wanted them reported publicly, stressing that politicians should not make such statements secretly.