Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has warned that any local government chairman who fails to deliver his council to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 will be removed.
Nwifuru gave the warning on Tuesday in Abakaliki while inaugurating the new chairmen and vice chairmen of the state’s 13 local government areas.
He said, “Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councillor.
“I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we would not speak in secret.
“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.”
The governor urged the chairmen to stop the opposition from gaining ground in their areas, saying “charity begins from home”.
He also told them to work towards delivering 100 per cent APC support in 2027.
Nwifuru advised the vice chairmen to work closely with their chairmen and avoid rivalry. He compared their roles to “spare tyres inside the car boot”.
He said, “it’s only when the tyre refuses to function or collapses irreversibly that they can function.
“You should always be available to the chairmen and ask them of your councils’ daily activities.
“Do not listen to gossip and ill advice from your friends against your chairmen because that will destroy your relationship with them,” he said.
Nwifuru cited his deputy as an example, noting that her performance as a council chairman helped people see her ability to serve as deputy governor.
The re-elected Afikpo LGA chairman, Chief Timothy Nwachi, thanked the governor and party stakeholders.
“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records landslide in 2027,” Nwachi said.
Among the new chairmen are Osborne Umahi, son of Works Minister David Umahi, who heads Ohaozara LGA, and Chidi Nwode, the younger brother of Nwifuru’s wife, who heads Ikwo LGA, NAN reported.
