The Ebonyi State Government has dismissed claims of a “rift” between Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of deliberately twisting the governor’s remarks to create discord between the two leaders.
The government alleged that two factions of the PDP were attempting to score cheap political points by misrepresenting a statement made by Governor Nwifuru during a grand endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The event was held on June 15, 2027 at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki, the state capital.
The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday.
He insisted that Nwifuru never threatened the FCT Minister.
Omebeh said: “At no time did His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, issue any threat against the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
“In his speech at the event, the Governor only cautioned some opposition elements who are fanning the embers of crisis in the state and spreading fake news and propaganda in the name of Barrister Nyesom Wike to desist from such acts.”
Clarifying the governor’s choice of words, the commissioner explained that the term: “Consume,” used during the rally, was a metaphorical expression indicating that individuals operating outside the law would face its full consequences if they failed to retrace their steps.
He stressed that Nwifuru and Wike maintain a relationship built on deep mutual respect, making any attempt by “PDP factions and paid media hirelings” to manufacture a rift between them futile.
Turning to the opposition’s internal challenges, Omebeh advised the PDP to focus on resolving its lingering crises rather than criticising the current administration.
“A party that has been unable to resolve its internal crisis for years lacks the moral rectitude to comment on governance issues,” he said.
He added that the two PDP factions were “almost non-existent” in Ebonyi State and posed no threat to the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reaffirming public support for the current administration, Omebeh warned that opposition elements seeking relevance through fake news and propaganda should be prepared to face legal consequences.
He said any attempt to create an imaginary misunderstanding between Nwifuru and Wike “will fail like a pack of cards.”
