Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has warned newly inaugurated local government chairmen that they could lose their positions if the All Progressives Congress (APC) fails to win their respective councils in the 2027 elections.
Governor Nwifuru issued the warning on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, during the inauguration of 13 newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies at the Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The ceremony was attended by APC leaders, members of the National Assembly, government officials and other stakeholders in the state..
Addressing the newly sworn-in council chairmen, Governor Nwifuru said their continued stay in office would be tied to the performance of the APC in their respective local government areas during the 2027 general elections.
The governor urged the council heads to immediately return to their local governments and commence grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.
Nwifuru expressed confidence that the APC would achieve a clean sweep in Ebonyi State in 2027, stressing the importance of strong grassroots structures to achieving the target.
He made it clear that council chairmen would be held accountable for the electoral outcome in their respective areas.
The governor’s position effectively places the 13 council chairmen under pressure to deliver their local government areas for the ruling party in the 2027 elections.
Nwifuru also urged the newly inaugurated vice chairmen to work closely with their respective council chairmen and demonstrate loyalty in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He likened the position of a vice chairman to a “spare tyre,” stressing that deputies must always be prepared to step in when required.
The governor cited his Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Obila, who previously served as a vice chairman, as an example of loyalty and commitment to duty.
Beyond the 2027 election preparations, Governor Nwifuru directed ward-level APC leaders across the state to submit 20 names each for consideration as executive assistants.
He said priority should be given to women and young people as part of the appointment process.
The directive is expected to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure while increasing youth and female participation in government.
The governor also disclosed financial donations for the newly elected council officials.
According to the announcement, each local government chairman received ₦1 million, while each vice chairman received ₦300,000.
The funds were provided by Gem Brass Construction during the inauguration ceremony.
While urging the council officials to work for the people, Governor Nwifuru reminded them that their oath of office requires them to serve in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He referenced Sections 7 and 8 of the Constitution, which provide for the existence of democratically elected local government councils.
Nwifuru also commended the APC leadership in Ebonyi State, the campaign committee headed by Ambassador Franklin Nchita and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the recent local government elections.
He described the exercise as one of the fairest and most peaceful elections witnessed in the state in recent years.
The Ebonyi governor has remained vocal in his support for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At a recent event in Abakaliki, Nwifuru also spoke about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention in the controversy surrounding Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and his position as chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum.
Nwifuru claimed that President Tinubu prevented an attempt by some APC governors to remove Uzodimma from the position.
His latest warning to Ebonyi’s council chairmen further underscores the growing focus on grassroots mobilisation as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
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