Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has dismissed reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu has ceded political control of the state to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The governor made the remarks during a stakeholders’ rally in Abakaliki, where supporters endorsed both his bid for a second term and President Tinubu’s re-election.
Nwifuru said certain politicians aligned with Wike had been spreading claims that the President had handed Ebonyi State to the minister and his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, those making such assertions have insisted that Wike informed them President Tinubu had placed Ebonyi under his political control. The governor, however, dismissed the claim outright, maintaining that the state remains firmly in the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He cautioned anyone attempting to undermine his administration, stressing that his government and supporters were prepared to defend their political mandate.
Nwifuru declared that while his administration had exercised restraint because of the support of the people, it possessed the strength to confront and defeat anyone seeking to challenge its authority.
He reaffirmed that Ebonyi belongs to the APC and warned that anyone testing the party’s resolve would face consequences they would not expect.
The rally was attended by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, among other political stakeholders.
Wike’s PDP Camp Fires Back
Although Wike has not personally responded to the governor’s comments, a PDP faction loyal to the FCT minister described Nwifuru’s remarks as reckless, provocative and evidence of growing anxiety ahead of the 2027 election.
Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s national secretariat, the faction’s spokesperson, Jungudo Mohammed, argued that the Ebonyi governorship election would ultimately be decided by the electorate based on performance rather than threats or intimidation.
Mohammed said the governor’s comments reflected fear of possible rejection by voters in the next election and urged him to prepare for a contest against the faction’s governorship hopeful, Ifeanyi Odii.
He also called on security agencies and civil society organisations to take note of what he described as the governor’s disturbing remarks.
According to Mohammed, if Nwifuru truly intends to “consume” the people of Ebonyi, it should be through meaningful development, effective governance and improvements in their standard of living rather than inflammatory rhetoric.
Rival PDP Faction Defends Governor
Meanwhile, another PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki defended the governor’s remarks.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the group argued that Nwifuru was merely reacting to what it described as Wike’s alleged anti-party activities and interference in Ebonyi politics.
The faction accused the FCT minister of extending his political influence beyond his official jurisdiction while allegedly invoking President Tinubu’s name to pursue partisan interests.
It also alleged that Wike previously played a role in the exit of former Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi from the PDP.
The Turaki-led faction further maintained that Alexander Eze remains its recognised governorship candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi governorship election.
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