Political Tension Rises as Odii Supporters React to Nwifuru’s Remarks

The Ebonyi Political Think-Tank, a campaign group supporting Dr. Ifeanyi Odii, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, has expressed concern over alleged remarks made by Governor Francis Nwifuru.

The group’s Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Nwobo, stated in a release that the governor made the comments during an All Progressives Congress (APC) political rally in Abakaliki.
According to Nwobo, Governor Nwifuru was quoted as saying:
“I have it from a credible source that some people have discussed with Mr President through their national leader, Nyesom Wike, that the federal government has given Ebonyi to PDP.
“We are just keeping quiet because our people are with us, we have all it takes to consume whosoever that pushes us to the wall.”
Nwobo described the statement as disturbing and inconsistent with democratic principles.
He said the group had a constitutional responsibility to respond with truth, respect for the law, and confidence in the people of Ebonyi State.
Nwobo also expressed surprise that Governor Nwifuru, a member of the APC, would publicly accuse Chief Nyesom Wike, an APC minister appointed by President Bola Tinubu, of working to hand Ebonyi State over to the PDP.
“A man cannot celebrate party solidarity on Monday and accuse his party’s appointees of treachery on Tuesday,” he said.
Referring to Sections 40 and 77 of the 1999 Constitution, Nwobo maintained that Ebonyi was not under military rule and argued that any suggestion of violence by a state’s chief security officer was contrary to democratic norms.
He urged the governor to avoid such rhetoric, warning that both history and the law would hold public office holders accountable for their actions.
Nwobo further called on security agencies to take note of the governor’s statement.
According to him, if any harm comes to Dr. Odii, his family, members of his campaign team, or supporters across the state, Governor Nwifuru should be held personally and legally accountable under the law.
He stated that the 2027 governorship election should not be viewed as a battle between political parties or influential individuals, but as a contest centred on the aspirations of the people of Ebonyi State.
Nwobo expressed confidence that Odii would emerge victorious through what he described as the sovereign will of the people.
He also urged residents of the state to remain calm, focused, and committed to the democratic process ahead of the 2027 election.
Responding to the allegation, the Ebonyi APC Chairman, Mr. Stanley Okoro-Emegha, dismissed claims that the governor threatened opposition members.
“But they, the PDP, did not state that the government said that it would allow them to campaign; it is their constitutional right.
“We would allow them to contest; it is their constitutional right.
“If their speech is not in consonance with the law of the land, we will also allow them to go and face the law. Let them not be alleging what is not correct.”
He added:
“The governor is the father of all of them, many of them will still come back to the APC. The important thing is to develop the state.
“So we cannot threaten them; they belong to this place, but let them do what is right.”