...Dismisses Abuja demonstration as election-season agitation, backs governor’s second-term bid
The Ebonyi People’s Mandate (EPM) has described protesters who recently demonstrated against Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru in Abuja and their alleged sponsors as “chronic losers,” dismissing the action as politically motivated agitation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group, in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Friday and signed by its National Director, Chief Afudike Emmanuel, alleged that the protesters were hired by political interests seeking to discredit the Nwifuru administration.
EPM urged Ebonyi residents to disregard the Abuja demonstration, describing it as “misguided and misplaced” and part of a pattern in which the governor’s political opponents allegedly resurface during election seasons to create disaffection against the government.
“The attention of Ebonyi People’s Mandate (EPM) has been drawn to the unacceptable and unwholesome activities of hired persons in Abuja over their misguided and misplaced protest directed at the person and administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru,” Afudike said.
He added: “They have embarked on yet another failed voyage as chronic losers.”
The group, however, said its position was informed by what it described as the governor’s performance in infrastructure, education, healthcare, human capital development, workers’ welfare, rural development and empowerment.
EPM said Nwifuru’s administration had substantially implemented its People’s Charter of Needs, insisting that the governor deserved the support of Ebonyi residents for a second term.
“EPM is satisfied with the policies and programmes of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, which is hinged on the People’s Charter of Needs mantra of the incumbent administration under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), delivering massively the core dividends of democracy to Ebonyi people,” Afudike said.
The organisation urged residents not to be swayed by what it termed “unfounded narratives” allegedly being circulated by the governor’s detractors.
It said individuals dissatisfied with the administration should use recognised democratic channels to register their grievances rather than resort to actions capable of undermining the state’s image.
“Should any Ebonyi person not be satisfied with the modus operandi of the current administration... there are known and acceptable channels of registering their displeasure other than hiding under any guise to malign the state government,” Afudike stated.
EPM also called on other support groups backing the governor to mobilise against what it described as attempts to vilify the administration.
The group maintained that the Abuja protest did not represent the position of the majority of Ebonyi residents, whom it said had given Nwifuru their mandate based on confidence in his capacity to drive the state’s development.
The statement effectively places the Abuja demonstration within the emerging political contest ahead of the 2027 elections, with EPM reaffirming its support for Nwifuru’s second-term bid.
