Deliver LGAs to APC in 2027 or risk removal, Nwifuru tells chairmen

Francis Nwifuru, Governor of Ebonyi State, has warned the newly sworn-in 13 local government chairmen that they risk losing their positions if they fail to deliver their respective Councils to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Governor Nwifuru gave the warning on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 13 chairmen, 13 vice chairmen and 171 councillors elected in the August 22, 2026 local government elections.

The ceremony was held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki.

The governor charged the new Council leaders to see their positions as a call to service and ensure that development and good governance reached the grassroots.

He said the oath of office they took carried enormous responsibilities, stressing that they had sworn to obey the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and serve the people of their respective local government areas.

“The responsibility you swore to obey the Constitution is huge and it is a thankless job. You swore to serve the people of your local government and you must continue to understand and serve the people of this great State,” Governor Nwifuru said.

The governor, however, warned that their political future would depend largely on their performance in office and loyalty to the APC.

He directed the chairmen to implement the party’s manifesto, policies and programmes, while protecting its interests at the grassroots.

Read also: 2027: Jarigbe rallies support for Tinubu, Otu in C’River North

“As local government chairmen, you must support, pray for and discuss our party, the APC. We will not leave any position for another party. We will win 100 per cent in all elections for our party, APC,” he said.

Governor Nwifuru was more emphatic when he warned that any chairman who failed to deliver his local government to the APC in 2027 would be removed.

“We will remove a council chairman that did not win his local government. It is as simple as that.”

He also urged the chairmen to reconcile with those who contested against them during the council elections and encourage them to join the APC.

“Engage those who contested against you. Discuss with them, bring them back to our party. Don’t ever inherit anybody’s enemy. My enemy shouldn’t be your enemy. Reconcile with them. My enemy can be your friend”, he said.

The governor also cautioned the newly sworn-in vice chairmen against actions capable of creating conflict with their principals.

He urged them to respect their chairmen, support them and diligently carry out responsibilities assigned to them.

“You should respect the chairmen and carry out responsibilities assigned to you. Don’t work against them,” he advised.

Among those sworn in was Osbourne Umahi, son of David Umahi, the Minister of Works, who took the oath as Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area.

Other chairmen inaugurated were Peace Agwu (Ishielu), Paul Ituma (Ohaukwu), Friday Nwuhuo (Ezza North), Chinedu Mkpuma (Ezza South), Chidi Nwode (Ikwo), Timothy Nwachi (Afikpo), Ikechukwu Ogbofia (Onicha), Michael Kalu Anyim (Ivo), Simeon Onuoha (Edda), Helen Aduga (Izzi), Chidiebere Alo (Abakaliki) and Chibueze Odigwe (Ebonyi Local Government Area).

Nwifuru also announced plans to appoint Executive Assistants to the Governor from the various wards across the state.

He directed the APC leadership, local government chairmen, development centre coordinators and ward stakeholders to submit 20 names from each ward for consideration, with the appointments expected to give preference to women and youths.

The governor said five women and three youths would be included among the nominees.

The governor further commended the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) for conducting what he described as a “fair, fine and peaceful” local government election, while thanking party leaders, campaign committee members and other stakeholders for their contributions to the APC’s victory.

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