PDP Slams Nwifuru, Demands Apology or Resignation

The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to withdraw his recent comments on opposition parties in the state, apologise to residents or resign from office.

The party made the demand on Friday, September 5, 2026, through its Publicity Secretary in Ebonyi, Darlington Peter-Onwe, during a radio programme. The PDP said the governor’s remarks about securing total All Progressives Congress (APC) control at the grassroots could increase political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Peter-Onwe accused the governor of making statements that could encourage hostility towards opposition members and media workers in the state. The PDP said the governor should take responsibility for his words and act quickly to prevent the political situation from becoming more tense.

The opposition party also referred to the constitutional duty of government to protect lives and property. It argued that comments from a state governor should promote peace and political participation rather than create fear among citizens.

The PDP’s reaction followed an instruction issued by Nwifuru earlier in the week during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies in Abakaliki.

At the ceremony, the governor urged the new council leaders to work towards maintaining APC control across their respective local government areas ahead of the 2027 elections. He also warned that they could face consequences if the party failed to retain control of their councils.

The governor’s position has drawn criticism from the PDP, which viewed the directive as an attempt to restrict the chances of opposition parties in the state.

The party said political competition should be allowed to take place freely and that voters should be able to choose their preferred candidates without pressure or intimidation.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the dispute has added to growing political exchanges between the ruling APC and opposition parties in Ebonyi. The PDP maintained that Nwifuru should retract the remarks, apologise to the people of the state or leave office.