June 29 (THEWILL) — The ongoing fight for political turf in Ebonyi State between Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is just the beginning of a larger battle that would rock many states during the 2027 general election. States to watch out for include Imo where the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu hails from and had contested the party governorship ticket in 2023 and lost. Rivers State, where the long, disruptive duel for supremacy between Governor Siminalaiyi Fubara and the Minster of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike finally ended in a political hybrid called rainbow coalition ahead of the upcoming general election, is another. Oyo state where Governor Seyi Makinde and Wike have drawn the battle line since they fell apart, is another.
Former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, is Wike’s points man on Oyo, seizing every opportunity to drag out the governor. In all these states and many that are likely to rupture politically following Wike’s influence, the Ebonyi governor’s reaction is a tip of what to come. The overall game plan is to boost its relevance and create a foothold in states ahead of the 2031 polls as the Wike led group has traded any chances of fielding a presidential candidate in the 2027 election in support of President Bola Tinubu.
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has thrown its weight behind Governor Nwifuru, following his recent criticism of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing the former Rivers State governor of anti-party activities and political interference.
In a statement issued and signed on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the PDP commended Nwifuru for publicly condemning what it described as Wike’s political blackmail and attempts to fuel crises in states outside his official jurisdiction.
The faction said the governor had rightly cautioned the FCT minister against stoking political tension in Ebonyi State through misinformation, anti-party manoeuvres and what it termed the use of President Bola Tinubu’s name to advance personal political interests.
National Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the PDP, Ini Imemobong said that Governor Nwifuru’s remarks echoed concerns held by many within the opposition party regarding Wike’s growing involvement in political affairs beyond the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State, where he previously served as governor.
“The Governor, who recently publicly cautioned the Minister to refrain from stoking political crisis in Ebonyi State, using political misinformation, the President’s name and anti-party gimmicks, reiterated the painful fact of Wike’s meddlesomeness in political affairs outside his official and geographic jurisdictions”, the statement read.
Imemobong argued that Nwifuru’s criticism was supported by historical political developments in Ebonyi State, alleging that Wike played a role in the circumstances that led to the exit of former Governor David Umahi from the PDP.
“We are certain that Governor Nwifuru is conscious of the ignoble role Wike, then as the Governor of Rivers State, played in pushing his predecessor out of the PDP”, it added and referenced previous allegations made by Umahi against Wike, claiming that the former Ebonyi governor had accused the FCT minister of accumulating and converting public wealth, allegations it said had not been refuted.
He called on Nigerians and political leaders across the country to support Nwifuru and others willing to challenge what it described as attempts by Wike to destabilise political structures in their states.
“We urge the public to join the Governor of Ebonyi State and any other governors who are bold enough in condemning a wicked attempt by Wike to ‘put fire’ in their states”, it concluded..
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed said the party was “dismayed” by Nwifuru’s recent comments at a political rally where he allegedly threatened to “consume” and destroy opposition in Ebonyi, while dragging FCT Minister Nyesom Wike into his challenges.
He told Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru to “leave Wike out of your political misfortunes” and face the people over his administration’s performance, warning that threats against opposition leaders could endanger democracy in the state
“Chief Wike is not Governor Nwifuru’s political mate and should not be drawn into the Governor’s self-inflicted challenges,” Mohammed said. “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.”
The PDP accused the governor of resorting to “scapegoats and conspiracy theories” after failing to deliver dividends of democracy. The party cited the N24 billion reportedly spent on Ebonyi Airport renovation, which remains “commercially unviable,” and questioned the governor on “undisclosed beneficiaries of the overseas scholarship programme, the poor state of basic education, uncompleted two-kilometre road projects… and billions budgeted for traditional rulers’ palaces with little or no visible results.”
Mohammed urged Nwifuru to explain his stewardship instead of “engaging in political blackmail, spreading unfounded allegations and threatening to use state resources against the opposition.”
The PDP also flagged the governor’s threat to “consume” opponents as dangerous. “We call on Security Agencies and Civil Society Organizations to take serious note of the Governor’s disturbing remarks… Such language is unbecoming of a public office holder and has the potential to heighten political tension,” he said.
He warned that the party would hold the governor responsible if anything happened to PDP leaders or candidates: “Should anything untoward happen to any of our supporter, leader or candidate in Ebonyi State, particularly our governorship candidate, Ambassador (Dr.) Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, or any member of his family, Nigerians already know where to direct attention and demand answers.”
The party said the 2027 governorship race will be decided by performance, not intimidation, and urged Ebonyi voters to “use the power of their votes to enthrone responsible leadership.”
“If the Governor truly wishes to ‘consume’ the people of Ebonyi State, let him do so through visible developmental projects, effective governance and tangible improvements in their living conditions and not through threats, intimidation and hostile political rhetoric,” Mohammed added.
Governor Nwifuru had alleged that Wike was on the verge of causing trouble in his states and rejected claims that President Tinubu handed over political control of Ebonyi state to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor who was speaking at a stakeholders’ rally in Abakaliki, organised in support of his re-election bid, said some allies of Wike in the state chapter of the PDP have been peddling such claims across the state.
He said, “I heard some people are saying that President Tinubu has given Ebonyi state to PDP for the 2027 governorship election, and their leader Nyesom Wike has also said that the president has given Ebonyi to him. We say to them, ‘eyaah’. Ebonyi is not for sale. We are not afraid,” Nwifuru said.
“Wike’s boys in the PDP are going around claiming that Wike assured them that he has given Ebonyi state to them. We say to them ‘eeyaah!’.
‘Eeyah’ is Nigerian Pidgin which roughly translates to “what a pity!”Nwifuru also cautioned against what he described as political overreach. “Don’t push us,” he warned.
The governor’s remarks come amid growing political realignments in the south-east and speculation over the influence of key political actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
