Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has warned that local government chairmen who fail to deliver victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their respective areas during the 2027 elections will be removed from office.
Nwifuru issued the warning in Abakaliki, the state capital, while inaugurating the newly elected chairmen and vice-chairmen of the state’s 13 local government areas.
The governor said the council chairmen would be held accountable for the performance of the ruling APC in their respective local government areas.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nwifuru said the chairmen must take responsibility for mobilising voters and ensuring victory for the party in the 2027 elections.
“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.
He further warned the council chairmen against complacency, saying those who failed to mobilise effectively for the APC risked losing their positions.
“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.”
Nwifuru urged the newly inaugurated council officials to ensure that opposition political parties did not gain a foothold in their respective local government areas.
He stressed the need for the chairmen to deliver strong support for the APC, saying, “charity begins at home”.
The governor also directed the council chairmen to work towards delivering a 100 per cent vote for the APC in the 2027 elections.
Nwifuru cautioned the chairmen against allowing disagreements or rivalry with their deputies to undermine the administration of their councils.
Addressing the vice-chairmen, the governor urged them to support their principals while remaining prepared to assume responsibility whenever the substantive chairmen were unable to perform their duties.
He described the vice-chairmen as “spare tyres inside the car boot,” urging them to maintain a close working relationship with the council chairmen.
“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,” Nwifuru said.
The governor also cited the career progression of his deputy as an example of how effective performance at the local government level could create opportunities for higher political office.
Nwifuru said his deputy had previously served as a council chairperson, adding that her performance at the grassroots level helped establish her credentials for the position of 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 the newly inaugurated council chairmen, Timothy Nwachi, chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, expressed appreciation to the governor and other APC stakeholders for the opportunity to serve.
“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records a landslide in 2027,” Nwachi said.
Among the newly inaugurated council chairmen are Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Chidi Nwode, brother of Governor Nwifuru’s wife.
