The Peoples Democratic Party Youth Leader in Ebonyi State, Francis Okechukwu, has criticised Governor Francis Nwifuru over his threat to remove newly elected local government chairmen who fail to deliver their councils to the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections.
Okechukwu described the governor’s position as undemocratic, arguing that it undermined the constitutional principles governing local government administration in Nigeria.
Nwifuru had, while inaugurating the newly elected council chairmen on Wednesday, warned them that they could lose their positions if their respective local government areas did not support the APC during the next general election.
“If you don’t deliver your local government area for APC during the elections, you will be removed.”
Reacting to the statement while speaking with journalists in Abakaliki on Sunday, Okechukwu accused the governor of adopting a high-handed approach and urged him to respect democratic principles.
He said, “Walking the path of the Constitution is not weakness; it is strength. We will not be intimidated into silence or forced into submission. Our commitment is to the rule of law, free and fair elections, and the fundamental rights of every citizen to associate, campaign and vote according to their conscience.”
The PDP chieftain also urged party youths across Ebonyi’s 13 local government areas to remain peaceful and law-abiding while resisting attempts to intimidate them or restrict their constitutional rights.
He added, “We urge our members to resist every attempt to suppress legitimate political activity. Violence is not an option, but neither is surrender. We will defend our democratic space within the bounds of the law.”
Okechukwu further reminded Nwifuru that the office of governor carries significant constitutional responsibilities, including protecting the rights of residents irrespective of their political affiliations and promoting peace, fairness and adherence to the rule of law.
“A governor who threatens elected local government officials and directs them to crush the opposition has abandoned the moral and constitutional high ground required of that office. Leadership is not about instilling fear; it is about inspiring confidence through good governance,” he said.
He warned that the PDP would challenge any effort to use elected council chairmen as instruments of political persecution, saying the party would pursue lawful avenues, including the courts, the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and public advocacy.
Okechukwu also called on civil society groups, traditional rulers, the media and the international community to pay attention to the governor’s remarks and support efforts to protect democratic values in Ebonyi State.
