The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has demanded that Governor Francis Nwifuru retract his recent remarks about opposition figures, tender an unreserved apology or resign from office.
The party’s publicity secretary in the state, Darlington Peter-Onwe, made the demand during a live radio programme on Friday.
Peter-Onwe accused the governor of making comments capable of fuelling hostility against opposition members and heightening the risk of political violence ahead of the 2027 general election.
“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.
“Section 14 of the Constitution explicitly provides that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property.
“By making such statements, he is now the one insinuating violence.”
The PDP’s reaction followed remarks by Nwifuru during the swearing-in of newly elected local government council chairmen and their deputies in Abakaliki.
The governor had dismissed allegations that members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were harassing or intimidating political critics, but warned opposition politicians that “they will see real threats at the right time”.
Nwifuru also directed the newly inaugurated chairmen to secure APC victories in their respective councils during the 2027 elections.
“You must not allow the opposition to win in your respective local government councils during the 2027 general elections,” Nwifuru said.
“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office.
“We will use your councillor and remove you.
“If you allow anybody to come to your local government council and mess up, deal with that person mercilessly.
“I want this information to make the headlines because, as politicians, we do not speak in secret.
“The chairmen know we will win the state, and if they choose to sleep and allow others to take their areas, they will be removed.
