The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed attempts by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, to blame the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, for his political challenges, insisting that the governor’s greatest obstacle is growing public dissatisfaction with his administration ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said Governor Nwifuru appeared to be looking for political scapegoats instead of addressing concerns over his government’s performance.
“The truth is that Governor Nwifuru’s challenge is not Chief Wike; his challenge is the people of Ebonyi State, who are yearning for competent leadership and genuine development,” Mohammed stated.
The PDP was reacting to remarks allegedly made by the governor during a political rally, where he reportedly threatened to “consume” and politically destroy opposition figures in the state.
Describing the comments as reckless and inflammatory, the opposition party urged security agencies and civil society organisations to take the governor’s statements seriously, warning that such rhetoric could escalate political tensions.
“We call on security agencies and civil society organisations to take serious note of the Governor’s disturbing remarks about ‘consuming’ opposition members. Such language is unbecoming of a public office holder and has the potential to heighten political tensions. Political disagreements must never be reduced to threats capable of endangering lives and undermining democratic participation,” Mohammed said.
The party also accused Governor Nwifuru of attempting to divert attention from what it described as his administration’s poor performance by dragging Wike into state politics.
According to the PDP, the governor should instead explain several issues, including the reported ₦24 billion spent on renovating the Ebonyi Airport, the state of basic education, uncompleted two-kilometre road projects across local government areas, the overseas scholarship programme, and funds allocated for traditional rulers’ palaces.
“Instead of engaging in political blackmail and making unfounded allegations, the Governor should explain why, after more than three years in office, his administration struggles to point to projects that have meaningfully improved the lives of the people of Ebonyi State,” the party stated.
Rejecting any attempt to involve Wike in the dispute, the PDP maintained that the FCT minister was not responsible for the governor’s political difficulties.
“Chief Wike is not Governor Nwifuru’s political peer and should not be drawn into the Governor’s self-inflicted challenges,” Mohammed added.
The opposition party also declared its readiness for the 2027 governorship election, expressing confidence in its candidate, Ambassador (Dr.) Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, to challenge Governor Nwifuru at the polls.
“The 2027 election will not be about propaganda, intimidation or blackmail. It will be about performance, accountability and the welfare of the people of Ebonyi State,” Mohammed said.
The PDP further raised concerns over the safety of its members and candidates, warning that any attack on its supporters or governorship candidate would attract national attention.
“If anything untoward happens to any of our supporters, leaders or candidates in Ebonyi State, particularly Ambassador Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii or any member of his family, Nigerians already know where to direct their attention and demand answers,” the party warned.
It added that if Governor Nwifuru truly wished to “consume” the people of Ebonyi State, he should do so through visible developmental projects, effective governance and improved living standards rather than threats and hostile political rhetoric.
PDP Bloc Backs Nwifuru, Blasts Wike
Meanwhile, another faction of the PDP aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 campaign Director-General, Aminu Tambuwal? (Note: original says Turaki bloc—avoid assuming leadership unless confirmed.) issued a contrasting position, openly supporting Governor Nwifuru’s criticism of Wike.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Interim National Working Committee of the faction commended the governor for challenging what it described as Wike’s alleged anti-party activities and political interference in Ebonyi State.
The group accused the FCT minister of meddling in state affairs, allegedly invoking President Bola Tinubu’s name to fuel political tension.
“We are certain that Governor Nwifuru is conscious of the ignoble role Wike, while serving as Governor of Rivers State, played in pushing his predecessor out of the PDP,” Ememobong stated.
The faction also referenced allegations previously made against Wike by former Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, noting that the minister had yet to publicly respond to them.
Reaffirming its opposition stance, the bloc insisted that the PDP could not align itself with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring Mr. Eze Alexander as the candidate of the “authentic and uncompromised PDP” in Ebonyi State.
The group further urged Nigerians to support governors willing to resist what it described as Wike’s attempts to destabilise states, highlighting the widening divisions within the PDP over the influential minister’s role in opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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