Governor Nwifuru Threatens to Remove Chairmen Who Lose for APC in 2027

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has warned that he will remove any chairman who does not win his council area for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

Mr Nwifuru made this statement on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the state capital. He spoke during the inauguration of the new chairmen and vice chairmen for the 13 local government areas in Ebonyi.

A video clip of the governor's remarks has gone viral on social media.

“As a local government chairman, if you like, go and sleep so that another person will take over your house.

“You will not stop us (APC) from winning. But when we win, we will remove you,” he told the newly inaugurated chairmen.

The governor insisted that he is open about his intention to sack any local government chairmen who fail to secure victory for the APC in their areas in 2027.

“It is also not hidden. So let the front page of a newspaper show it tomorrow: we will remove a council chairman who did not win in his local government. We will use your councillors and remove you,” he emphasized.

He urged the chairmen to ensure that the opposition does not win in their areas, saying “charity begins at home.”

Mr Nwifuru first became governor of Ebonyi State in 2023 under the APC platform. His first four-year term will end on 29 May 2027 and he is looking to be re-elected in 2027.

The governor's statements have raised serious concerns about the independence of local government areas and their chairmen, as well as the influence of governors in Nigeria.

A significant moment for local government independence happened in July 2024. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the federal government, enforcing financial independence for local governments.

In a unanimous decision, a seven-member panel stated it is unconstitutional for state governments to manage funds meant for local councils.

The court ordered that allocations from the Federation Account go directly to local governments, as stated in Section 162 (5, 8) of the Nigerian Constitution.

Despite this ruling, many state governments still send local government funds through joint accounts, which the court ruled unlawful.

For example, in October 2024, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State signed the Anambra State Local Government Administration Bill into law.

This law requires local governments in the state to pay a portion of their federal allocations into a consolidated account controlled by the state government.

Observers have noted that this law contradicts the Supreme Court ruling that confirmed local governments' financial independence.

Beyond questions of independence for council areas and their chairmen, the governor’s comments also bring up whether governors can remove elected local government chairmen at will.

Obioma Ezenwobodo, a legal practitioner based in Abuja, told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Nwifuru cannot remove any local government chairman.

Mr Ezenwobodo pointed out that Ebonyi State has local laws governing its local government operations.

“The councillors can impeach the local government chairmen. So, the governor doesn’t have the power to remove an elected local government chairman,” he explained.

He also referenced the Supreme Court ruling that confirmed the autonomy of local governments in the country. He added that another Supreme Court ruling stated that local governments are not under the control of the state.