By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday dismissed attempts by Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State to link his troubles to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, insisting that the governor’s real challenge is the people of Ebonyi State, not the FCT minister, as discontent over his administration grows ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The opposition party said the governor appeared to be searching for political scapegoats at a time when many residents were more concerned about the performance of his administration than political confrontations.

Speaking at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, accused Nwifuru of resorting to inflammatory statements and blackmail because of growing concerns about his political future.

“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,” Mohammed said.

The PDP was reacting to comments allegedly made by the governor at a political rally, where he was reported to have threatened to ‘consume’ and destroy opposition figures in the state.

Describing the remarks as reckless and inflammatory, the party warned that such language could further raise tensions in Ebonyi State.

“We call on security agencies and civil society organisations to take serious note of the Governor’s disturbing remarks about ‘consuming’ opposition members and leaders in the state.

“Such language is unbecoming of a public office holder and has the potential to heighten political tensions in the state. Political disagreements must never be reduced to threats or rhetoric capable of endangering lives and undermining democratic participation,” Jungudo said.

Beyond the dispute with Wike, the PDP accused Governor Nwifuru of failing to deliver meaningful development and trying to deflect attention from his administration’s record.

It challenged him to account for key projects and programmes under his watch, including the reported N24 billion spent on renovating the Ebonyi Airport, which it claimed has yet to generate significant economic benefits for the state.

The party also raised concerns about the overseas scholarship programme, the state of basic education, uncompleted two-kilometre road projects across local government areas and funds budgeted for traditional rulers’ palaces.

“Instead of engaging in political blackmail, spreading unfounded allegations and threatening to deploy state resources against the opposition, the Governor should devote his energy to explaining to the people of Ebonyi State why, after more than three years in office, his administration struggles to point to projects that have meaningfully improved their lives,” the PDP stated.

Rejecting what it described as attempts to drag Wike into the dispute, the party maintained that the FCT minister had nothing to do with the governor’s current difficulties.

“Chief Wike is not Governor Nwifuru’s political peer and should not be drawn into the Governor’s self-inflicted challenges,” Jungudo said.

The PDP also signalled its readiness for the 2027 governorship election, naming Ambassador (Dr.) Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii as the candidate it believes can challenge the governor at the polls.

“If Governor Nwifuru is worried about the next election, he should direct his attention to the PDP governorship candidate, Ambassador (Dr.) Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, who will confront him at the ballot box.

“The 2027 election will not be about propaganda, intimidation or blackmail; it will be about performance, accountability and the welfare of the people of Ebonyi State,” Mohammed said.

The opposition party also raised concerns about the safety of its members and candidates in the state.

“Should anything untoward happen to any of our supporters, leaders or candidates in Ebonyi State, particularly our governorship candidate, Ambassador (Dr.) Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, or any member of his family, Nigerians already know where to direct their attention and demand answers.

“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 through threats, intimidation and hostile political rhetoric,” Jungudi said.

Turaki bloc commends Nwifuru

Meanwhile, another bloc of the PDP took a markedly different position, backing Governor Nwifuru’s criticism of Wike and accusing the FCT minister of interfering in Ebonyi State affairs.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Interim National Working Committee of the party commended the governor for publicly challenging what it described as Wike’s alleged anti-party activities and political blackmail.

The bloc said Nwifuru had warned the minister against fuelling tensions in Ebonyi State through misinformation and the invocation of President Bola Tinubu’s name, while accusing him of meddling in affairs beyond his official jurisdiction.

“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,” Ememobong said.

The group also cited allegations previously made by former Ebonyi State governor, Engr. David Umahi, against Wike, noting that the minister had yet to publicly respond to them.

Reaffirming its opposition credentials, the bloc insisted that the PDP could not be aligned with the ruling party and identified Mr. Eze Alexander as “the candidate of the authentic and uncompromised PDP” in Ebonyi State.

“We reiterate that the Peoples Democratic Party, as an opposition party, is not and cannot be in an alliance with the ruling party. We are a principled political party and will continue to insist on best practices in political contests in a bid to help achieve democratic consolidation in our country,” the statement added.

The group also urged Nigerians to support governors willing to resist what it described as attempts by Wike to ‘put fire’ in their states, underscoring the sharply contrasting positions taken by the two PDP factions over the minister’s role in opposition politics.