Ebonyi Governor Threatens To Sack Any Council Chairman Who Fails To Deliver Victory For APC

The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has vowed to remove any local government chairman who fails to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress in his council during the 2027 elections.

Nwifuru stated this in Abakaliki, the state capital, during the inauguration of the new chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the state’s 13 Local Government Areas.

“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councillor. I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we would not speak in secret,” Nwifuru said.

“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.”

The governor urged the politicians not to allow opposition parties to gain ground in their respective areas.

He also directed the council chairpersons to work towards delivering 100 per cent votes for the APC in the 2027 general elections and cautioned them against rivalry with their deputies.

Nwifuru advised the vice-chairpersons to regard their positions as “spare tyres inside the car boot,” saying they should only take over when the substantive chairpersons are unable to function.

“You should always be available to the chairmen and ask them about your council’s 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 said.

The governor said his deputy was once a local government chairperson, adding that nobody could have predicted that she would eventually become 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,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the chairman of Afikpo LGA, Timothy Nwachi, thanked the governor and other party stakeholders for the opportunity to serve the people.

“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records a landslide in 2027,” Nwachi said.

The newly inaugurated council chairpersons include Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Chidi Nwode, brother of Nwifuru’s wife.