The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Leader in Ebonyi State, Francis Okechukwu, has condemned Governor Francis Nwifuru’s threat to remove newly elected local government chairmen who fail to deliver their councils for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Nwifuru reportedly issued the warning while inaugurating the newly elected council chairmen in the state. He told them that those who failed to secure victory for the APC in their respective local government areas during the 2027 elections would be removed from office.
Reacting to the statement, Okechukwu described the governor’s position as undemocratic and contrary to the constitutional responsibilities of elected public officials.
Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki on Sunday, the PDP youth leader said elected local government chairmen should be allowed to discharge their responsibilities without being subjected to political conditions that could undermine their independence.
He argued that the threat to remove council chairmen based on electoral performance amounted to political intimidation and could undermine democratic participation in the state.
Okechukwu said political office holders should be guided by the Constitution and respect the rights of citizens to freely associate with political parties, campaign for candidates of their choice and vote according to their conscience.
“Walking the path of the Constitution is not weakness; it is strength,” he said, while urging PDP members and supporters not to be intimidated by political threats.
The PDP youth leader also called on members of the party across Ebonyi’s 13 local government areas to remain peaceful and law-abiding while defending their constitutional rights.
He said the opposition would not resort to violence in response to political intimidation but would use lawful means to challenge any action it considered unconstitutional.
According to him, available legal and democratic channels include the courts, relevant electoral institutions, security agencies and public advocacy.
Okechukwu further reminded Governor Nwifuru that the office of governor carries significant constitutional responsibilities, including protecting the rights of all citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.
He argued that a governor should create an environment where political parties can operate freely and citizens can participate in elections without fear of intimidation.
The PDP youth leader alleged that threatening elected council officials with removal for failing to support a particular political party could turn local government chairmen into political instruments rather than representatives responsible for serving their communities.
He urged civil society organisations, traditional institutions, the media and other stakeholders to pay attention to political developments in Ebonyi ahead of the 2027 elections.
The controversy comes as political parties across the country intensify mobilisation and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Political competition is expected to increase in Ebonyi as the APC-led state government and opposition parties seek to consolidate their respective support bases.
Okechukwu maintained that the PDP would continue to participate in the political process while encouraging its members to remain peaceful.
He said political disagreements should be resolved through democratic and legal channels rather than threats or intimidation.
The PDP youth leader’s reaction has further heightened political debate in Ebonyi over the role of local government officials and the extent to which elected office holders should be expected to support the ruling party during elections.
