2027: Ebonyi govt accuses opposition parties of campaign of calumny

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State government has accused opposition in the state of campaign of calumny against Governor Francis Nwifuru ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The government alleged that it has  been inundated by reports of abusive statements and rhetoric credited to “some failed political actors and content creators masquerading as civil society campaigners and those who claim to be spokespersons of some factions of opposition political parties operating in the state”.

Special Assistant to Governor Francis Nwifuru on Inter-party Affairs, Comrade Sunday Nwambam, who made the allegation, condemned what he described as  negative and incendiary remarks by the opposition against the governor.

Nwambam said what is going on in the state is not an issue based campaign as expected, but a calculated attempt to destroy the state by those who, he said, have turned blind eyes to the quantum of achievements of the present administration in the area of road infrastructure, education, security, and economic empowerment.

“These goons must note that while the political season provides them with opportunities to express their feelings and canvass votes for their choice candidates, they are already observing their rights in breaches by  concocting all manner of lies and abusive rhetoric against the administration of Governor Nwifuru.

“The administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru is an institution founded in the law of the land and, whether politics or not, must be preserved, protected, and engaged within the context of relevant laws and constitutional provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Let me state, categorically, that what is going on in the state is not an issue based campaign as expected, but a calculated attempt to destroy the state by those who have turned blind eyes to the quantum of achievements of the present administration in the area of road infrastructure, education, security, and economic empowerment.

“Today, Governor Nwifuru’s administration has established two universities at Ezza and Oferekpe, sent hundreds of Ebonyians to foreign scholarship, empowered thousands of people with agro training and starter packs, restored peace in all the warring communities in the state, sustained top notch security measures to the point that no successful kidnapping or abduction incident has taken place in the state since he assumed office.

“His administration is also building smart schools across various LGAs and other achievements too numerous to be mentioned. The question is what have those masquerading as the incoming Messiahs of Ebonyi achieved if not to stage a political pageantry with a retinue of convoys every four years, divide Ebonyians with ill-gotten wealth and return to base till the next four years.

“It is unfortunate that a high spate of campaign of calumny in Ebonyi State is coming on the heels of  recent warnings by INEC to political parties and candidates on the use of abusive, inflammatory or threatening language during campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“As part of efforts to curb toxic political rhetoric, my office encourages INEC to ensure that those who violate relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 are subjected to the demands of the law.

“Under Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act, a candidate convicted of using hate speech or inciting violence during campaigns may face a fine of up to N5 million, a jail term of 12 months, or both”, he stated.