Ebonyi denies rift between Nwifuru, Wike, blames PDP

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The Ebonyi State Government has dismissed claims of a rift between Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

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The state government also accused factions of the Peoples Democratic Party of distorting the governor’s remarks to create unnecessary tension between the two leaders.

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The state’s Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, clarified in a statement issued on Tuesday.

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According to Omebeh, Governor Nwifuru never threatened the FCT minister during a grand endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates held on June 15 at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki.

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

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“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.

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The commissioner explained that the governor’s use of the word “consume” during the rally was metaphorical, stressing that it referred to those who chose to violate the law despite repeated warnings.

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“The term ‘consume’ was a metaphorical expression indicating that individuals operating outside the law would face its full consequences if they failed to retrace their steps,” he said.

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Omebeh maintained that Nwifuru and Wike enjoy a cordial relationship founded on mutual respect, insisting that attempts by “PDP factions and paid media hirelings” to create the impression of a feud would not succeed.

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He urged the PDP to focus on resolving its internal challenges instead of criticising the Ebonyi State Government.

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

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The commissioner also claimed that the PDP’s factions in Ebonyi were “almost non-existent” and posed no threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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He warned that individuals spreading false information and propaganda against the state government should be prepared to face the consequences of the law.

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Omebeh’s statement followed reactions to remarks made by Governor Nwifuru during the endorsement rally, where he alleged that some persons claiming to be allies of Wike had been telling people that President Tinubu had handed Ebonyi State over to the PDP.

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“Some people are going around and saying that they discussed with President Tinubu and that the president has given Ebonyi to PDP,” the governor had said.

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“They said Nyesom Wike is their leader and that Wike said the president has given Ebonyi to him. And we say to them, ‘Eeyaah!'”

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Nwifuru also vowed that Ebonyi would remain under the APC.

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He said, “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.”

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He 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 to resolve, the outcome will be very funny for him.”

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