The governor of Ebonyi, Francis Nwifuru, has dismissed reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu has ceded political control of Ebonyi state to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ rally in Abakaliki organised in support of his re-election campaign, Nwifuru said supporters of Wike within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were responsible for spreading the claims across the state.
“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,” Nwifuru said.
“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 Nigerian Pidgin which means “what a pity!”
The governor also warned against political provocation.
“Don’t push us,” he said.
The remarks come amid rising political alignments in the south-east and increasing speculation over the influence of key figures ahead of the 2027 general election.
Nwifuru, who belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC), used the rally to restate his loyalty to Tinubu and rally support for the party in Ebonyi.
The event drew party members, traditional rulers, and stakeholders who publicly expressed backing for both the governor and the president.
He also pointed to ongoing development projects in the state and federal initiatives impacting the south-east region.