The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that Governor Francis Nwifuru retract his recent remarks concerning opposition parties in the state, tender an unreserved apology to Ebonyians or resign from office.

The party described the governor’s comments as inflammatory and capable of escalating political tension and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a live radio programme on Friday, Ebonyi PDP Publicity Secretary, Darlington Peter-Onwe, urged Nwifuru to take responsibility for his statements, alleging that they had already contributed to hostility against opposition members and media practitioners in the state.

“The Governor should apologise to Ebonyians or resign. He should retract the statement or step down because he has violated the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy,” Peter-Onwe said.

He cited Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, which places the protection of lives and property among the primary responsibilities of government.

“By making such statements, he is now the one insinuating violence,” he added.

Peter-Onwe also cited Abia State Governor Alex Otti as an example of what he described as responsible leadership, recalling how Otti publicly apologised following a disruption in the education sector.

“Look at what Governor Alex Otti did when there was a disruption in the education sector. He came out openly and apologised, admitting that it shouldn’t have happened. That is the true strength of a leader,” he said.

The PDP’s reaction followed remarks made by Nwifuru on Tuesday at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected local government council chairmen and their deputies in Abakaliki.

The governor had dismissed allegations that members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were harassing or intimidating political opponents, but warned that the opposition would face what he described as “real threats” at the appropriate time.

“Political opposition in the state are alleging harassment and intimidation by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“They will see real threats at the right time,” Nwifuru said.

He subsequently directed the newly sworn-in council chairmen to ensure the APC retains control of their respective local government areas in the 2027 elections.

“You must not allow the opposition to win in your respective local government councils during the 2027 general elections,” the governor told the chairmen.

Nwifuru warned that any council chairman who failed to deliver his local government area to the APC would be removed.

“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office.

“We will use your councillor and remove you.

“If you allow anybody to come to your Local Government council and mess up, deal with that person mercilessly,” he said.

Defending the significance of his remarks, the governor added: “I want this information to make the headlines because, as politicians, we do not speak in secret.”

He further warned the chairmen that failure to secure victory for the APC in their respective councils could cost them their positions.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain a reaction from the APC in Ebonyi State were unsuccessful.