Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Francis Nwifuru of issuing a “merciless” threat against opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party said the governor’s directive to 13 newly sworn-in local government chairmen to “deal with” opposition elements could trigger political violence in the state.
Nwifuru gave the directive on Tuesday during the inauguration of the council chairmen, their deputies and 171 councillors at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki.
“If you allow anybody to come to your local government and mess up, deal with that person mercilessly. It is either you are with me or you are against me,” the governor said.
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He also warned that any chairman who failed to deliver his local government area to the All Progressives Congress, APC, would be removed.
“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, but when we win, we will remove you,” Nwifuru added.
The governor further declared that the APC would sweep all elective positions in the state in 2027.
“We cannot leave any position to any other political party; we will win 100 per cent. Go and tell the opposition this,” he said.
Reacting in a statement at the weekend, the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Igwe Chukwuma, condemned the governor’s remarks as reckless, describing them as “an open charge to visit official hostility upon citizens for no offence beyond their choice of party.”
“This is not political banter. It is an invitation to violence,” Chukwuma said.
The party alleged that the governor’s remarks were part of a pattern of combative rhetoric, recalling a previous statement in which Nwifuru allegedly vowed to “consume” the opposition.
The PDP also linked the governor’s comments to alleged recent attacks on opposition members in Ohaukwu and Ezza South Local Government Areas, as well as alleged assaults on journalists covering political activities.
The opposition party further questioned the legality of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, polls, arguing that the emergence of APC candidates in all 13 local government areas and 171 wards was not the product of genuine democratic competition.
It cited constitutional provisions and past court rulings, insisting that the new council structure was “legally defective.”
The PDP called on security agencies to remain neutral and protect all citizens irrespective of their political affiliation.
“Ebonyi State does not belong to one political party, and its security architecture does not exist to serve one political entity. That principle is non-negotiable,” the party said.
“We will not be intimidated into silence. We will resist, through every lawful and constitutional avenue, any further assault on our members,” it added.
The PDP vowed to mobilise ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that Ebonyi residents must be allowed to freely determine their leaders at the ballot.