Governor Nwifuru Rejects Claims of Tinubu Handing Over Ebonyi to Wike
Francis Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi State, has strongly rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu handed over political control of Ebonyi State to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to a report by The Cable, Nwifuru, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), made the remarks on Monday, June 29, during a stakeholders' rally in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, ahead of the 2027 elections.
The rally was organized to endorse the re-election of Governor Nwifuru and President Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Speaking at the political event, Governor Nwifuru said some of Wike’s unnamed allies have been peddling claims that Tinubu has handed over Ebonyi to the former Rivers State governor and his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Threatens to 'Consume' Wike and Allies
Governor Nwifuru then vowed to frustrate the move and threatened to deal with Wike or anybody involved in the alleged plot, stressing that Ebonyi is not for sale. He said, according to a report by Premium Times on Saturday, June 27: “Some people are going around and saying that they discussed with President Tinubu and that the president has given Ebonyi to PDP. They said Nyesom Wike is their leader and that Wike said the president has given Ebonyi to him. And we say to them, ‘eeyaah’ (sic)!”
He continued, apparently referring to Wike and his allies: “Now, I want to sound this way as your governor: We are not afraid. We only hold ourselves because our people are with us. Nobody should push us because we have all it takes to consume whoever is trying us; we have all it takes to destroy whoever is trying us.”
Nwifuru Reaffirms APC Loyalty
Continuing, Nwifuru said: “We’re sending a message to them directly or indirectly that we’re members of the All Progressives Congress and that’s where Ebonyi people belong. And whoever is trying our resolve, the outcome will be very funny for him.”
The Ebonyi governor's trending video has gone viral on social media, with many reacting to his strong language. The video shows Nwifuru making the statement at the rally, which was also attended by APC supporters and stakeholders.
Background: Nwifuru Previously Defended Uzodimma
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nwifuru disclosed that President Tinubu stopped the removal of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo as the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) when some of his colleagues plotted against him. Nwifuru explained that some of his colleagues called and told him that President Tinubu gave the directive to remove Uzodimma as the chairman of the forum, but the president used his intelligence to solve the problem.
The statement from Nwifuru comes amid growing political tensions in Ebonyi State, as the 2027 elections draw closer. The governor's comments have been interpreted as a direct challenge to Wike, who is a key figure in the PDP and has been building alliances across party lines.
