Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Tuesday declared that the All Progressives Congress would win all elective positions in the state in the 2027 general elections, vowing to dislodge opposition parties from the state's political space.
Nwifuru made the declaration in Abakaliki while inaugurating the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 13 local government areas of the state at the Christian Ecumenical Centre.
The governor, who described the newly inaugurated council officials as critical components of the APC's grassroots political structure, charged them to consolidate the party's recent electoral gains and work towards securing total victory for its candidates in 2027.
“We cannot win one position for any other political party. We will win 100 per cent for the general election,” Nwifuru declared.
He said the outcome of the recent local government election, in which the APC won all the chairmanship positions and councillorship seats, had demonstrated the strength of the party's grassroots structure and should serve as a springboard for the 2027 elections.
Nwifuru said the new council chairmen had a responsibility to reciprocate the support that brought them to office by ensuring victory for APC candidates in subsequent elections.
“Have you been delivered by our party? Is it for them now to deliver the candidate of the party?” the governor asked, urging the chairmen to make the success of the party a priority in their respective local government areas.
The governor's declaration was accompanied by a warning to opposition parties, following reports that some opposition elements had interpreted his recent political statements as threats.
He rejected the allegation that the APC was threatening its opponents, insisting that the party was merely expressing its determination to win the forthcoming elections.
“Like somebody showed to me this morning that the opposition says we are threatening them. We must have a campaign; we are not threatening you.
“We will threaten you when the time comes. So nobody is threatening you. We are stating the facts and we are willing to follow our words with action," he said.
Nwifuru further declared that the APC had prepared adequately for the 2027 elections and would not be distracted by opposition activities.
“We prepared better than they think. And we are winning,” he said.
The governor also issued a stern political warning to opposition forces seeking to penetrate APC-controlled local government areas, urging the new chairmen to defend the party's political interests at the grassroots.
“If you allow anybody to come to your local government, deal with that person mercilessly. Charity begins at home,” he said.
He maintained that the political strength of the council chairmen would be closely tied to their ability to deliver effective governance and sustain the support of their constituents.
According to him, the office of local government chairman was politically significant because the performance of the occupants would be judged directly by the people.
“Local government chairman is one of the worst positions anybody can go for. He can either make you or destroy you completely politically,” Nwifuru said.
He cautioned the chairmen to be mindful of their conduct, stressing that their actions, utterances and attitudes would determine how they were perceived by the electorate.
“You are carrying the cross and the crown of a local government. So your actions, your behaviour, your attitude is what people are looking at,” he said.
Nwifuru, however, urged the new council officials not to allow the political contest to prevent reconciliation with their former opponents.
He directed them to engage candidates who contested against them during the local government election and other stakeholders who remained outside the APC.
“Engage all your opponents. Engage those people that contested against you. Discuss with them. Bring them back to our party,” he said.
The governor further advised the chairmen against inheriting the political grievances of other leaders, stressing that reconciliation should remain an important component of their political strategy.
“Don't ever inherit anybody's enemy. My enemy shouldn't be your enemy. Make my enemy your friend and reconcile us,” he said.
He also warned the newly inaugurated vice chairmen against actions capable of creating friction with their respective chairmen, advising them to support their principals and avoid listening to political gossip.
“As the vice chairman, I want you to know that you are just a spare tyre in a boot,” Nwifuru said, urging the deputies to remain loyal and available to their chairmen.
The governor reminded the council officials that they had sworn to uphold the Constitution and serve the people, saying their positions came with significant responsibilities.
He said the inauguration was an affirmation of constitutional democracy and the state's commitment to grassroots governance.
“This action of today is very unique. Unique in the sense that we decided to obey the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria according to Section 7 and Section 8,” he said.
Nwifuru charged the chairmen and vice chairmen to be patient, accountable and receptive to the views of the people, reminding them that they had taken an oath to serve and obey the electorate.
The governor also announced plans to appoint 10 executive assistants from each of 171 wards across the state as part of efforts to broaden political and administrative participation at the grassroots.
He said each ward would nominate five women, two men and three youths for the appointments.
The initiative, he explained, would be implemented under the supervision of the local government chairmen, women's centre coordinators and other relevant stakeholders.
Nwifuru commended the APC leadership, campaign committee and party executives for their roles in the party's electoral success, while also appreciating the Ebonyi State Electoral Commission, EBSIEC for what he described as a peaceful conduct of the local government election.
He equally commended opposition candidates who conceded defeat and urged them to work with his administration.
NATIONAL PANEL reports that the governor's declaration has effectively set the tone for the political contest in Ebonyi ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the APC seeking to consolidate its control of the state's political structure and opposition parties expected to intensify efforts to challenge the ruling party's dominance.
