Nwifuru charges Ebonyi council chairmen on service, threatens removal over APC losses in 2027

Politics

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has charged the newly sworn-in chairmen and vice chairmen of the state’s 13 Local Government Areas to see their positions as a sacrifice and a call to service rather than mere privileges.

The governor gave the charge on Tuesday after swearing in the newly elected council officials at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki.

Nwifuru said their assumption of office represented a renewed commitment to taking development, good governance and the dividends of democracy closer to the people at the grassroots.

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“Today, I had the honour of swearing in the newly elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of our 13 Local Government Areas at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki,” the governor said.

“Their assumption of office marks a renewed commitment to taking development, good governance and the dividends of democracy closer to our people at the grassroots.”

He urged the council chairmen to serve with integrity, humility, discipline and commitment, stressing that they had taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and protect the interests of the people of Ebonyi State.

“I charged the new Council Chairmen to see their positions not merely as privileges, but as a sacrifice and a call to serve,” he said.

Nwifuru said he expected the new council leaders to faithfully implement the programmes and policies of the state government while working with relevant stakeholders to advance development across their respective local government areas.

He also urged the vice chairmen to work closely with their chairmen and avoid rivalry, stressing that unity and teamwork were essential to delivering on the mandate entrusted to them.

However, the governor also issued a strong political warning to the newly inaugurated chairmen ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nwifuru threatened to remove any council chairman who fails to deliver his or her local government area to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councillor,” the governor said.

“I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we would not speak in secret.”

The governor said the chairmen were expected to ensure the APC maintained its political strength across the state and warned them against allowing opposition parties to gain ground in their respective areas.

“The chairmen know we would win in the state and if they choose to sleep and allow others to take their areas, they would be removed,” he said.

He further charged the council leaders to work towards delivering what he described as a 100 per cent victory for the APC in Ebonyi State during the 2027 elections.

Addressing the vice chairmen, Nwifuru urged them to remain loyal and cooperative with their chairmen, warning against rivalry and allowing gossip or outside influence to damage their working relationships.

He encouraged them to remain available to their chairmen and take an active interest in the daily activities of their respective councils.

The governor also cited his deputy, whom he said previously served as a local government chairman, as an example of how effective performance in public office could lead to greater responsibilities.

The re-elected Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Chief Timothy Nwachi, who spoke on behalf of the newly inaugurated officials, thanked the governor and party stakeholders for the opportunity to serve.

“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records a landslide in 2027,” Nwachi said.

Among the newly inaugurated council chairmen are Engr. Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who was sworn in as Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area.

Also inaugurated was Mr Chidi Nwode, a younger brother to the wife of Governor Nwifuru, who emerged as Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area.

The governor said the journey towards deeper grassroots development in Ebonyi State had continued, urging the new council leaders to justify the confidence reposed in them by the people.

“Together, we will build an even greater Ebonyi State,” he said.