The Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State has called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to withdraw his recent comments about opposition politicians, apologise to residents or resign from office.
The party said the governor’s remarks were capable of heightening political tensions and encouraging violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a radio programme on Friday, the PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Darlington Peter-Onwe, said Nwifuru should take responsibility for his statements, which he claimed had increased hostility towards opposition members and media practitioners.
“The Governor should apologise to Ebonyians or resign. He should retract the statement or step down because he has violated the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy,” Peter-Onwe said.
He also argued that the governor had a constitutional duty to protect lives and property, rather than make statements that could be interpreted as encouraging violence.
Peter-Onwe compared the situation with Abia State Governor Alex Otti’s response to a recent disruption in the state’s education sector, saying a leader should be willing to admit mistakes and apologise when necessary.
The PDP’s reaction followed comments made by Nwifuru on Tuesday during the swearing-in of newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies in Abakaliki.
The governor had dismissed allegations that APC members were harassing or intimidating opposition supporters but warned that the opposition would face “real threats” at the appropriate time.
Nwifuru also instructed the newly sworn-in council chairmen to ensure that the APC retained control of their respective local government areas during the 2027 elections.
He warned that chairmen who failed to deliver their councils to the APC could be removed from office.
The governor further directed the council leaders to deal firmly with anyone attempting to undermine the party’s political control at the grassroots.
He said he wanted his comments to be widely reported, stressing that politicians should be open about their positions.
The PDP has consequently demanded that Nwifuru retract the remarks and apologise, insisting that his comments were unbecoming of a governor.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Ebonyi State chapter of the APC were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
