The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate withdrawal of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s controversial remarks against opposition parties, insisting that he should apologise to the people of the state or resign from office.

The opposition party accused Nwifuru of making statements capable of escalating political tension and encouraging violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a live radio programme on Friday, the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ebonyi, Darlington Peter-Onwe, said the governor’s comments were unacceptable and amounted to an alleged violation of his constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.

Peter-Onwe said Nwifuru should take responsibility for his remarks, alleging that they had already heightened hostility towards opposition politicians and media practitioners in the state.

“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,” he said.

According to him, Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution places the protection of lives and property among the primary responsibilities of government.

“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 spokesman added.

The controversy followed remarks made by Nwifuru on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected local government council chairmen and their deputies in Abakaliki, the state capital.

The governor had rejected allegations that APC members and supporters were harassing or intimidating opposition figures, but warned that critics would face what he described as “real threats” at the appropriate time.

“Political opposition in the state are alleging harassment and intimidation by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“They will see real threats at the right time,” Nwifuru said.

He also directed the newly sworn-in council chairmen to ensure the APC retains control of their respective local government areas during the 2027 elections.

Nwifuru warned that council chairmen who failed to deliver their areas for the ruling party would be removed from office.

“You must not allow the opposition to win in your respective local government councils during the 2027 general elections,” he told them.

“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.”

The governor further emphasised that his warning was deliberate and intended to be made public, saying politicians did not make such statements in secret.

“I want this information to make the headlines because, as politicians, we do not speak in secret,” he said.

Nwifuru added that the council chairmen were expected to deliver victory for the APC in their respective areas, warning that those who allowed opposition parties to gain ground would lose their positions.

Reacting to the governor’s approach, Peter-Onwe cited Abia State Governor Alex Otti as an example of what he described as responsible leadership, referring to Otti’s public apology over a disruption in the education sector.

The PDP spokesman maintained that Nwifuru should similarly acknowledge the implications of his comments, retract them and apologise to Ebonyians.