The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally rejected claims by Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State that his political struggles stem from the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. During a briefing at the party’s Abuja headquarters, National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Haruna Mohammed argued that the governor is merely seeking scapegoats to distract from widespread public dissatisfaction with his leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
The opposition party condemned recent remarks attributed to the governor, where he allegedly threatened to destroy political opponents. Mohammed characterized these comments as dangerous and reckless, urging security agencies to monitor the situation. The PDP highlighted a list of grievances regarding the governor’s performance, questioning the results of major expenditures such as the N24 billion airport renovation and various stalled infrastructure projects.
Instead of engaging in blame, the party challenged Nwifuru to justify his record and focus on the upcoming contest against their candidate, Ambassador Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii. The party emphasized that the 2027 election would be defined by performance rather than intimidation.
Conversely, a separate faction of the PDP, represented by Comrade Ini Ememobong, issued a statement supporting the governor’s stance against Wike. This group accused the FCT minister of unnecessary interference in Ebonyi politics and backed the governor’s criticism of his alleged anti-party maneuvers. This internal divide highlights a sharp disagreement within the party regarding its stance on the minister’s influence.
