The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Ebonyi State have disagreed over claims of failed promises, bad governance.
They also differed on the prospects of Nigerians voting out the ruling party at the 2027 general election.
The state chairman of the NNPP, Mr. Ojeogu Ifeanyi, fired the first salvo when he said his party is determined and committed to unseat Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Ojeogu, who made the disclosure in Abakaliki the state capital during a meeting of the party’s council chairmen and State Working Committee expressed regret that the ruling APC has failed Nigerians.
He said that there is a high level of hunger, poverty, maladministration, harassment of opposition parties, infrastructural decay, underdevelopment and anger amongst Nigerians.
“The essence of our meeting is to strategise on how to take over Ebonyi State government house come 2027. The party has resolved and marshall out plans on how to unseat Governor Francis Nwifuru.”
He urged residents of Ebonyi State to get their voter cards and vote for the NNPP gubernatorial candidate in 2027.
In a swift reaction, the ruling APC in the state described NNPP’s declaration as a false, mischievous and calculated attempt to undermine the laudable achievements of the present administration in the state.
In a statement by the state publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Ogbuatu Simbad, said NNPP’s claim that Governor Nwifuru has failed and that 2027 would mark the end of APC leadership in Ebonyi is a figment of its wild imagination and a propaganda taken too far.
“Ordinarily, such empty talk does not deserve a response because the NNPP has no recognisable structure, presence, or followers in Ebonyi State.”
He maintained that Governor Nwifuru has, since assuming office, continued to provide purposeful and people centered leadership to the people of the State.
“Governor Nwifuru has provided good governance and inclusive leadership to the people. He has improved the welfare of civil servants. He has also provided healthcare delivery, with state hospitals and health centres across communities fully functional.”
The APC challenged Ojeogu to point out one area that Governor Nwifuru has failed Ebonyi people, adding “It is pertinent that the NNPP Chairman in the State has resorted to mere wishful thinking and daydreams of unseating a widely accepted government.”
He called on the people of the state to ignore the NNPP statement and continue to support the administration of Governor Nwifuru for more developmental strides.