Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has warned that any local government chairman who fails to deliver victory for the All Progressives Congress in 2027 will lose his position.
Nwifuru gave the warning on Tuesday in Abakaliki while inaugurating the newly elected chairmen and vice-chairmen of the state’s 13 local government areas.
The governor said the council chairmen must strengthen the APC at the grassroots and secure victory for the party in their areas.
Nwifuru demands APC victory in all LGAs
Nwifuru said the chairmen would face removal if they failed to deliver their local government areas to the APC.
“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,” he said.
He also warned the chairmen against becoming complacent ahead of the 2027 elections.
“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 added.
The governor urged the council leaders to prevent opposition parties from gaining ground in their areas.
He asked them to work towards delivering what he described as a 100 per cent vote for the APC in the 2027 general election.
Governor cautions chairmen against rivalry
Nwifuru urged the chairmen to maintain good working relationships with their deputies.
He warned that internal rivalry could undermine the administration of their councils.
The governor gave similar advice to the vice-chairmen. He urged them to support their principals and remain available when needed.
Nwifuru likened the position of a vice-chairman to a “spare tyre inside the car boot”.
He explained that vice-chairmen should take over only when the substantive chairmen can no longer perform their duties.
“You should always be available to the chairmen and ask them of your councils’ daily activities. Do not listen to gossip and ill advice from your friends against your chairmen because that will destroy your relationship with them,” he said.
Nwifuru cites deputy as example
The governor also cited his deputy as an example of effective service at the local government level.
Nwifuru noted that his deputy had previously served as a local government chairperson.
He said her performance helped convince people that she could handle greater responsibilities.
“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,” Nwifuru said.
New chairmen pledge support for APC
Speaking for the newly inaugurated chairmen, Timothy Nwachi thanked Nwifuru and APC stakeholders for the opportunity to serve.
Nwachi also pledged that the chairmen would work towards delivering a strong victory for the ruling party in 2027.
“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records a landslide in 2027,” he said.
Among the newly inaugurated chairmen are Osborne Umahi, son of Minister of Works David Umahi, who will lead Ohaozara LGA.
Chidi Nwode, the younger brother of Governor Nwifuru’s wife, will serve as chairman of Ikwo LGA.
The inauguration covered the chairmen and vice-chairmen of all 13 local government areas in Ebonyi State.
