2027: Nwifuru Threatens Removal of Council Chairmen Who Lose LGAs to Opposition

…Plans to Appoint 1,710 Executive Assistants Across Ebonyi Wards

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has threatened to remove any local government chairman who fails to deliver his council area to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Nwifuru issued the warning while addressing stakeholders during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected local government chairmen at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, the state capital.

The governor described the position of local government chairman as one of the most challenging political offices, warning the newly inaugurated chairmen that their conduct and performance would be closely watched by the people.

He said the chairmen had a responsibility to protect the image of the party that brought them to office, stressing that they must work to ensure victory for the APC in subsequent elections.

Turning to the 2027 elections, Nwifuru declared that the APC would seek to win all elective positions in the state, saying: “We cannot leave one position to any other political party. We will win 100 per cent in the general election.”

He specifically warned the council chairmen that failure to deliver their respective local government areas for the APC could cost them their positions.

“When we win, you know we will win, and we will remove any council chairman that did not win his local government. It is as simple as that,” he said.

The governor, however, urged the newly elected chairmen not to alienate their opponents, directing them to engage candidates who contested against them and encourage them to join the APC. 

He also advised them against inheriting political enemies, stressing the need for reconciliation and political accommodation.

On the forthcoming political activities, Nwifuru urged party leaders and stakeholders at the ward and local government levels to intensify mobilization, particularly among women and youths, as the 2027 electoral cycle gathers momentum.

He also announced plans to appoint 20 Executive Assistants from each of the state’s 85 wards, which would amount to 1,710 appointments, subject to the final allocation. 

He said the nominees would include women and youths, with five slots reserved for women and three for youths per ward, while the remaining positions would be allocated accordingly.

Nwifuru also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as a fair, peaceful and credible conduct of the recent local government election in the state, while thanking political leaders, party executives and other stakeholders for their roles in the electoral process.

The governor congratulated the newly sworn-in chairmen and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate.

He called on them to reconcile with their former opponents and work for the development of their respective local government areas.