Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu has ceded political control of the state to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections, dismissing the alleged arrangement as a baseless rumour and warning that the state cannot be bartered like a commodity.
The governor made the declaration on Saturday, June 27, 2026, during a stakeholders' rally in Abakaliki, the state capital, organised to endorse his re-election bid and mobilise support for President Tinubu's second-term ambition. The rally, which was attended by party supporters, traditional rulers, and a broad spectrum of stakeholders, was broadcast live on TVC News.
Addressing the crowd, Governor Nwifuru said he had heard reports that some individuals were going around claiming that they had discussed with President Tinubu and that the President had given Ebonyi State to the PDP for the 2027 governorship election. He further alleged that these individuals were parading Nyesom Wike as their leader and claiming that Wike had assured them that the President had handed over Ebonyi to him. Reacting to the claims, the governor dismissed them with a single word: "eeyaah!" — a Nigerian Pidgin expression that roughly translates to "what a pity!"
"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, 'eeyaah'. Ebonyi is not for sale. We are not afraid," Nwifuru declared.
The governor, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), used the rally to reaffirm his unwavering support for President Tinubu and to mobilise backing for the ruling party in the state. He highlighted ongoing development projects in Ebonyi and federal government initiatives affecting the South-East region, including the appointment of an Ebonyi son as Minister of Works, which he said had brought visible transformation to the state. "Mr President is a dear friend. He is the President that believes in the Ebonyi man. He is the President that has shown us love. Very, very, very, very undoubtable love that Mr President has shown to Ebonyi people," Nwifuru said.
Beyond dismissing the rumour, the governor issued a stern warning to political opponents, cautioning against what he described as political overreach and external interference in the state's affairs. "Don't push us," he warned. "We have all it takes to consume whoever is trying us; we have all it takes to destroy whoever is trying us. Nobody should push us because we have all it takes to consume whoever is trying us."
Nwifuru's remarks come amid growing political realignments in the South-East and widespread speculation over the influence of key political actors ahead of the 2027 general election. The rally was also attended by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, a fellow APC chieftain, and Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, who made a surprise appearance.
The claims that President Tinubu had handed over Ebonyi to the PDP and Nyesom Wike had been circulating in the state for several days, prompting a strong reaction from the governor. The PDP faction loyal to Wike has yet to officially respond to Nwifuru's remarks, but a spokesperson for the faction, Jungudo Mohammed, had earlier described the governor's statements as reckless and inflammatory, warning that the 2027 governorship election would be determined by performance, not intimidation or political blackmail. The Turaki faction of the PDP, however, has rallied behind Governor Nwifuru in his clash with Wike, commending him for calling out what they described as anti-party activities and the use of President Tinubu's name to advance personal political interests.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who also addressed the rally, dismissed growing insinuations that Ebonyi had been conceded to the PDP, declaring that the party would not allow the opposition to take any position in the forthcoming general election. "We will return President Bola Tinubu and Francis Nwifuru as the Governor of Ebonyi State come 2027," Yilwatda declared. As the political landscape continues to shift ahead of the 2027 elections, the battle for Ebonyi State is set to intensify, with Governor Nwifuru making it clear that he will not cede ground to any political interest, regardless of how well-connected they may be.
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