No Rift Between Nwifuru, Wike, Ebonyi Govt Clarifies

 

The Ebonyi State Government has dismissed claims of a rift between Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of deliberately twisting the governor’s remarks to create discord between the two leaders.

The government alleged that two factions of the PDP were attempting to score cheap political points by misrepresenting a statement made by Governor Nwifuru during a grand endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. The event was held on June 15 at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki.

The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, made the clarification in a statement issued on Tuesday, insisting that Governor Nwifuru never threatened the FCT Minister.

“At no time did His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, issue any threat against the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike.

“In his speech at the event, the Governor only cautioned some opposition elements who are fanning the embers of crisis in the state and spreading fake news and propaganda in the name of Barr. Nyesom Wike to desist from such acts,” Omebeh said.

READ ALSO: Edo Govt Demolishes Stalls Under High-Tension Power Lines

Clarifying the governor’s choice of words, the commissioner explained that the term “consume,” used during the rally, was a metaphorical expression indicating that individuals operating outside the law would face its full consequences if they failed to retrace their steps.

He stressed that Governor Nwifuru and Minister Wike maintain a relationship built on deep mutual respect, making any attempt by “PDP factions and paid media hirelings” to manufacture a rift between them futile.

Turning to the opposition’s internal challenges, Omebeh advised the PDP to focus on resolving its lingering crises rather than criticising the current administration.

“A party that has been unable to resolve its internal crisis for years lacks the moral rectitude to comment on governance issues,” he said.

He added that the two PDP factions were “almost non-existent” in Ebonyi State and posed no threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Reaffirming public support for the current administration, Omebeh warned that opposition elements seeking relevance through fake news and propaganda should be prepared to face legal consequences.

He concluded that any attempt to create an imaginary misunderstanding between Nwifuru and Wike “will fail like a pack of cards.”

The clarification followed reactions to remarks made by Governor Nwifuru at the endorsement rally, where he alleged that some unnamed allies of Wike had been claiming that President Tinubu had handed over Ebonyi State to the FCT Minister and his faction of the PDP.

“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!’” the governor said.

“Eeyaah” is an exclamatory expression that translates to “what a pity.”

Nwifuru vowed to resist any such move, insisting that Ebonyi was not for sale.

“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,” he said.

Continuing, the governor added: “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.” cards.”

The post No Rift Between Nwifuru, Wike, Ebonyi Govt Clarifies appeared first on Channels Television.