The newly sworn-in Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Eze Paul Ituma, has warned opposition political parties and their supporters against conducting political activities in the council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ituma, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), issued the warning in a viral video while speaking about the growing political activities ahead of the elections.

The council chairman said individuals or groups whose political activities were considered contrary to his interests could be declared persona non grata in Ohaukwu.

He warned opposition politicians against attempting to establish a political presence in the area, saying such moves would amount to an attempt to undermine his political interests.

“Anyone who dares to do so will be declared persona non grata. This is the time for politics. I don’t have a shop at the International Market; politics is my business. Anyone who wants to put sand in my garri should not come close to Ohaukwu,” he said.

Ituma’s comments come against the backdrop of a directive by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, to newly elected local government chairmen to ensure victory for the APC in their respective councils in the 2027 elections.

Nwifuru issued the warning in Abakaliki during the inauguration of the chairmen and vice-chairmen elected across the state’s 13 local government areas.

The governor said any chairman who failed to deliver his council to the APC in 2027 would lose his position.

“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,” Nwifuru said.

He added, “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.”

Ituma’s remarks have since generated reactions, particularly over the implication of restricting opposition parties from carrying out political activities in a democratic setting ahead of the 2027 elections.

The chairman was recently sworn in alongside other newly elected local government officials in Ebonyi State.