Governor Nwifuru Speaks On Tinubu Handling Over Ebonyi To Wike

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu handed over political control of the state to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Naija News reports that Nwifuru spoke at a stakeholders’ rally in Abakaliki organised in support of his re-election bid.

The governor said some allies of Wike in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been spreading the claim across the state.

Nwifuru said Ebonyi State would not be surrendered to any political interest ahead of the next governorship election.

He said, “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, ‘eyaah’. Ebonyi is not for sale. We are not afraid.

“Wike’s boys in the PDP are going around claiming that Wike assured them that he has given Ebonyi state to them. We say to them ‘eeyaah!’.”

“Eeyah” is a Nigerian Pidgin expression roughly meaning “what a pity.”

Nwifuru also cautioned political opponents against what he described as overreach. “Don’t push us,” he warned.

His remarks came amid growing political realignments in the South-East and speculation over the influence of major political actors ahead of the 2027 general election.

Nwifuru, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), used the rally to reaffirm his support for Tinubu and mobilise backing for the ruling party in Ebonyi.

The event was attended by party supporters, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, who expressed support for the governor and the President.

Nwifuru also highlighted ongoing development projects in Ebonyi State and Federal Government initiatives affecting the South-East.