Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu has handed over political control of the state to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Nwifuru, a member of the All Progressives Congress, made the remarks during a stakeholders’ rally held in Abakaliki on June 15 to endorse his re-election and President Tinubu’s second-term bid.
The governor said some allies of Wike had been going around claiming that Tinubu had given Ebonyi State to the Peoples Democratic Party faction loyal to the FCT minister.
“Some people are going around and saying that they discussed with President Tinubu and that the president has given Ebonyi to PDP,” Nwifuru said.
“They said Nyesom Wike is their leader and that Wike said the president has given Ebonyi to him. And we say to them, ‘eeyah!’”
Nwifuru, however, dismissed the claim and warned those behind it not to test the resolve of his administration and supporters.
“Now, I want to sound this way as your governor: we are not afraid. We only hold ourselves because our people are with us.
“Nobody should push us because we have all it takes to consume whoever is trying us; we have all it takes to destroy whoever is trying us,” he said.
The governor insisted that Ebonyi remains an APC state and that the people of the state would not accept any alleged attempt to impose political control from outside.
“We’re sending a message to them directly or indirectly that we’re members of the All Progressives Congress and that’s where Ebonyi people belong.
“And whoever is trying our resolve, the outcome will be very funny for him,” he added.
The rally was attended by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, while Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, also made a surprise appearance despite being a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Although Wike has not personally responded to Nwifuru’s comments, the remarks have triggered sharply different reactions from two factions of the PDP.
The PDP faction backed by Wike faulted the governor, describing his statement as reckless, inflammatory and a sign of desperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s national secretariat on Thursday, the faction’s spokesperson, Jungudo Mohammed, said the Ebonyi governorship election would be decided by performance and not intimidation or political blackmail.
“These unfortunate statements clearly expose a governor who is increasingly troubled by the prospect of his rejection by the people of Ebonyi State in 2027,” Mohammed said.
He challenged Nwifuru to prepare to face the faction’s governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, in the 2027 election.
Mohammed also rejected what he described as an attempt by the governor to drag Wike into local political issues in Ebonyi State, urging security agencies and civil society organisations to take note of the governor’s remarks.
“If the governor truly wishes to ‘consume’ the people of Ebonyi State, let him do so through visible developmental projects, effective governance and tangible improvements in their living conditions,” he said.
However, another PDP faction chaired by Kabiru Turaki praised Nwifuru for speaking against Wike.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the faction said the governor merely called out what it described as Wike’s anti-party activities and alleged political interference outside his official jurisdiction.
Ememobong said Nwifuru’s remarks reflected concerns over Wike’s alleged meddlesomeness in political affairs beyond the Federal Capital Territory while using President Tinubu’s name.
The faction also alleged that Wike played a role in the circumstances that led former Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, to leave the PDP for the APC.
It maintained that Alexander Eze remains its governorship candidate in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 election.
Wike, though officially a member of a PDP faction recognised by INEC, currently serves in the APC-led federal government and has repeatedly declared support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The post “Ebonyi Is Not For Sale” — Nwifuru Rejects Claim Tinubu Handed State To Wike, PDP Factions Split Over Governor’s Threat appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
