Members of the opposition in Ebonyi State have taken to the streets to protest against Governor Francis Nwifuru over remarks he made during the swearing-in of newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies.
The protesters called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG, and the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police to intervene over the governor’s comments.
The protest followed Nwifuru’s remarks during Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony in Abakaliki, where he charged the newly inaugurated council chairmen to ensure the dominance of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governor warned the chairmen against allowing opposition parties to win in their respective local government areas, indicating that failure to deliver their councils for the APC could attract consequences.
“You must not allow the opposition to win in your respective local government councils during the 2027 general elections,” Nwifuru said.
The remarks have since generated reactions from opposition members, culminating in the protest.
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Protest rocks Ebonyi over Nwifuru’s warning to council chairmen