Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has threatened to remove any local government council chairman who fails to deliver his council to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Nwifuru issued the warning on Tuesday in Abakaliki while inaugurating the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 13 local government areas in the state.
The governor said any council chairman who failed to deliver his council to the APC would be removed from office and replaced with a councillor.
“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,” he said.
Nwifuru said the chairmen were expected to ensure victory for the APC in their respective councils in the 2027 elections.
He urged them not to allow opposition political parties to gain ground in their areas, saying that “charity begins from home.”
The governor charged the chairmen to do everything within their powers to deliver the APC 100 per cent in the 2027 elections.
He also urged the vice chairmen to work closely with their chairmen and avoid rivalry.
Nwifuru likened the positions of the vice chairmen to “spare tyres inside the car boot”, saying they should remain available to support their chairmen.
“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.
The governor cited his deputy as an example, noting that she had previously served as a council chairman before becoming deputy governor.
“She performed in ways people saw her and believed she could do the work of a deputy governor.
“My deputy is doing the work perfectly and presently enjoying the position,” he said.
