GOVERNOR Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has warned that any local government chairperson who fails to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections will be removed from office.
News Point Nigeria reports that Nwifuru issued the warning on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the state capital, during the inauguration of the new chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the 13 Local Government Areas.
“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 added: “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 politicians not to allow the opposition to thrive in their respective areas, stressing that “charity begins at home”.
The governor asked the council chairpersons to do everything possible to deliver a 100 per cent vote for the APC in 2027, while also cautioning them against rivalry with their deputies.
He advised the vice-chairpersons to view their positions as “spare tyres inside the car boot”, saying they should only step in when the substantive chairpersons are unable to function.
“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 said his deputy was once a council chairperson, adding that nobody could have predicted that she would one day become 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 his colleagues, Timothy Nwachi, the chairman of Afikpo LGA, thanked the governor and party stakeholders for the opportunity to serve the people.
“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records a landslide in 2027,” Nwachi said.
The new council chairpersons include Osborne Umahi, the son of David Umahi, Minister of Works, and Chidi Nwode, the brother of Nwifuru’s wife.