Ebonyi Govt Denies Nwifuru-Wike Rift, Says Opposition Twisting Governor’s Remarks

The Ebonyi State Government has dismissed reports of a disagreement between Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing opposition groups of attempting to create tension between the two political figures for political advantage.

The government said Governor Nwifuru never issued any threat against the FCT Minister, stressing that both leaders maintain a relationship built on mutual respect.

The clarification followed reactions to comments made by Governor Nwifuru during an endorsement rally for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The rally, held on June 15 at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki, had sparked controversy after opposition elements interpreted some of the governor’s remarks as a warning directed at Wike.

However, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the interpretation was misleading and deliberately designed to create a false impression of hostility between the two leaders.

“At no time did His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, issue any threat against the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike,” Omebeh stated.

He explained that the governor’s remarks were directed at individuals allegedly spreading misinformation and attempting to create crisis in Ebonyi State while using the name of the FCT Minister.

“In his speech at the event, the Governor only cautioned some opposition elements who are fanning the embers of crisis in the State and spreading fake news and propaganda in the name of Barr. Nyesom Wike to desist from such acts,” the commissioner added.

Omebeh also addressed the governor’s use of the word “consume” during the rally, explaining that it was a metaphorical expression referring to the consequences of actions by individuals who operate outside the law.

According to him, the statement was not a threat against Wike but a warning that unlawful activities would attract appropriate consequences.

The commissioner accused two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of attempting to exploit the comments to create a political disagreement between Governor Nwifuru and the FCT Minister.

He described such efforts as unsuccessful, insisting that the governor and Wike share a cordial relationship and have no disagreement.

Omebeh further challenged the opposition PDP to resolve its internal challenges instead of focusing on what he described as manufactured controversies around the Ebonyi government.

“A party that has been unable to resolve its internal crisis for years lacks the moral rectitude to comment on governance issues,” he said.

He also claimed that the PDP factions in Ebonyi had limited political influence and posed no significant challenge to the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

The commissioner warned individuals and groups involved in spreading what the government considers false information to be prepared to face possible legal action.

He maintained that any attempt to create an artificial conflict between Governor Nwifuru and Minister Wike would not succeed.