A member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogah, has given a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) a 21-day ultimatum to retract allegations against the Ebonyi State Government over the state's failure to qualify for the World Bank-supported HOPE Governance Programme Performance-Based Incentive Grant, warning that failure to do so could result in legal action.
The coalition, comprising the Human Rights Volunteer Corps, Human Rights Action Group and Good Living Initiative, had alleged that Ebonyi lost the opportunity to access about $27 million under the World Bank programme after failing to meet governance, fiscal transparency and public financial management requirements.
The CSOs claimed that the state failed to publish critical fiscal documents within stipulated timelines, including its annual budget, citizens' budgets and other financial reports, leading to its disqualification from the performance-based incentive grant.
Reacting in a statement issued through his media office, Ogah dismissed the allegations as false, misleading and politically motivated, insisting that Governor Francis Nwifuru's administration had demonstrated prudence, transparency and fiscal discipline since assuming office.
The federal lawmaker said the governor had neither obtained loans from local nor foreign financial institutions but had instead concentrated on reducing the state's debt burden by paying about 80 per cent of liabilities inherited from previous administrations.
"Governor Francis Nwifuru has been prudent in the management of Ebonyi State's resources since he assumed office. He has not borrowed money from any local or foreign bank. Rather, he has paid about 80 per cent of the debts incurred by previous administrations," Ogah said.
He added that the administration had prioritised economic diversification through the development of the Industrial City in Ezzamgbo, the revival of Nigercem and other strategic investments aimed at creating employment opportunities for young people across the state.
According to him, the government has also invested significantly in infrastructure, security, education, healthcare and the welfare of citizens, maintaining that such achievements deserve recognition rather than what he described as unfounded criticism.
Ogah accused the civil society groups of allowing themselves to be used by opposition politicians to discredit the state government and undermine its developmental strides.
"We humbly wish to ask Charles Otu and Prof. Joseph Agbo, whom the opposition is using, to show us any bank where Governor Nwifuru has borrowed money since becoming governor," he stated.
The lawmaker further argued that security had improved under the current administration and urged the groups to verify their claims with the Debt Management Office (DMO) before making public statements.
"Since Governor Nwifuru came on board, insecurity has reduced and the welfare of Ebonyi people remains his priority. They should consult the Debt Management Office before speaking. They should also visit rural communities to see the projects the governor is executing before criticising his administration," Ogah said.
He warned that the coalition must withdraw the publication and apologise to Governor Nwifuru within 21 days or face legal consequences.
"I am giving them 21 days to retract those false allegations against the Ebonyi State Government and apologise to the governor. Some people allow their political interests to push them into destroying the image of Ebonyi State through false publications and cyberbullying. They should withdraw the statement and apologise," he said.
The CSOs had earlier maintained that Ebonyi's inability to qualify for the World Bank incentive grant reflected weaknesses in fiscal transparency, budget implementation and public financial management.
The coalition also urged the state government to strengthen governance reforms, improve accountability and enhance institutional credibility to position the state for future development opportunities.
As of the time of filing this report, the coalition had not officially responded to Ogah's ultimatum.
