BREAKING: Ebonyi Opposition Protests Nwifuru’s ‘Threat’ to Council Chairmen Over 2027 Poll

Members of opposition political parties in Ebonyi State have taken to the streets to protest a “threat” by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru during the swearing-in of newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies.

The protesters, who staged the demonstration in the state, called on Governor Nwifuru to withdraw what they considered a directive aimed at securing the total dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police and the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police to intervene and call the governor to order.

Governor Nwifuru, during Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony in Abakaliki, charged the newly inaugurated council chairmen to ensure that their respective local government areas remained under the control of the APC during the 2027 elections.

The governor warned the council chairmen against allowing opposition parties to defeat the APC in their areas, stressing that failure to deliver their local government areas would attract consequences.

“You must not allow the opposition to win in your respective local government councils during the 2027 general elections,” the governor reportedly told the council chairmen.

The opposition protesters, however, said the statement is a threat and expressed concern that it could undermine political competition and the credibility of the 2027 elections in the state.

They urged security authorities to ensure that all political parties and their supporters are allowed to operate freely and participate in the electoral process without intimidation.