Ebonyi Governor Nwifuru Threatens Council Chairmen with Removal if APC Loses in 2027

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has issued a stern warning to the newly elected chairpersons of the state’s 13 local government councils, declaring that anyone who fails to deliver their council area to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections will be stripped of their office.

The governor handed down the directive in Abakaliki while swearing in the newly elected council chairpersons and vice-chairpersons. Emphasizing that elected officials will be held personally accountable for electoral outcomes in their jurisdictions, Nwifuru insisted that complacency would not be tolerated and challenged the media to publish his warning on the front pages.

Nwifuru declared that the ruling party would not allow council bosses to “sleep” and surrender ground to opposition parties. Outlining how the sanctions would be carried out, the governor stated that his administration would mobilize local ward councillors to impeach and replace any chairman whose council falls to rival political parties.

Beyond campaign targets, the governor addressed administrative friction, urging the council bosses to work amicably with their deputies. Describing vice-chairpersons as vital support systems meant to step in whenever their principals are unavailable, Nwifuru cautioned deputies against listening to divisive rumors designed to fuel leadership disputes.

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated leaders, the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Timothy Nwachi, expressed gratitude for the mandate and pledged that the council executives would work diligently to deliver a landslide victory for the APC in 2027.

However, the governor’s pronouncement has sparked public debate and legal commentary regarding the constitutional independence of the third tier of government. Legal observers have pointed out that following recent judicial precedents upholding council autonomy, elected local government chairmen are protected by statutory tenure and cannot be arbitrarily dismissed or pressured through executive overreach.