Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has threatened to remove any local government chairman who fails to deliver his or her council area to the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections.
Nwifuru issued the warning on Tuesday in Abakaliki while inaugurating the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the state’s 13 local government areas.
The governor said the council chairmen would be held accountable for the party’s electoral performance in their respective areas, warning that those who failed to secure victory for the APC could be replaced.
“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councillor,” he said.
Nwifuru added, “I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we would not speak in secret.
“The chairmen know we would win in the state and if they choose to sleep and allow others to take their areas, they would be removed.”
He urged the newly inaugurated chairmen to prevent the opposition from gaining a foothold in their respective local government areas, stressing that they must demonstrate political strength beginning from their immediate constituencies.
The governor consequently directed them to work towards delivering the state to the APC with a 100 per cent victory in the 2027 elections.
Nwifuru also cautioned the vice chairmen against rivalry with their principals, urging them to maintain cordial working relationships with the council chairmen.
He likened the vice chairmen to “spare tyres inside the car boot,” explaining that they should remain supportive and only assume the principal role when circumstances require it.
“You should always be available to the chairmen and ask them of your councils’ daily activities.
“Do not listen to gossip and ill advice from your friends against your chairmen because that will destroy your relationship with them,” he advised.
The governor cited his deputy as an example of how effective service at the local government level could open opportunities for higher office.
According to him, his deputy was previously a local government chairman and distinguished herself through her performance before eventually emerging as deputy governor.
“She performed in ways people saw her and believed she could do the work of a deputy governor.
“My deputy is doing the work perfectly and presently enjoying the position,” Nwifuru said.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated chairmen, the re-elected chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Chief Timothy Nwachi, expressed appreciation to the governor and other party stakeholders for the confidence reposed in them.
Nwachi pledged that the chairmen would justify the confidence and work towards securing a landslide victory for the APC in the 2027 elections.
“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records landslide in 2027,” he said.
Among the newly inaugurated council chairmen is Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who was elected chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area.
Also inaugurated was Chidi Nwode, the younger brother of Governor Nwifuru’s wife, as chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area.
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