Vice-Chairmen Are Spare Tyres Inside The Car Boot
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Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has threatened to remove any local government chairman who fails to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general election.
Nwifuru issued the warning on Tuesday in Abakaliki while inaugurating the newly elected chairmen and vice-chairmen of the state’s 13 local government areas.
The governor said the council chairmen were expected to strengthen the APC at the grassroots and prevent opposition parties from gaining control of their respective areas.
“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councillor,” Nwifuru declared.
“I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we would not speak in secret.
“The chairmen know we would win in the state, and if they choose to sleep and allow others to take their areas, they would be removed.”
The governor directed the chairmen to work towards delivering what he described as “100 per cent” of the votes in their respective local government areas to the APC in 2027.
He urged them not to allow opposition parties to gain political influence in their councils, maintaining that “charity begins at home.”
Nwifuru also advised the chairmen and their deputies to maintain harmonious working relationships and avoid rivalries capable of affecting the administration of their councils.
Addressing the vice-chairmen, the governor likened their positions to “spare tyres inside the car boot,” explaining that they should only take over when the substantive chairmen were unable to perform their duties.
“It is only when the tyre refuses to function or collapses irreversibly that they can function,” he said.
“You should always be available to the chairmen and ask them about your council’s daily activities. Do not listen to gossip and ill advice from your friends against your chairmen because that will destroy your relationship with them.”
Nwifuru cited the political progression of his deputy, Patricia Obila, who previously served as a local government chairman, as an example of how effective performance at the council level could lead to higher office.
“She performed in ways people saw her and believed she could do the work of a deputy governor. My deputy is doing the work perfectly and presently enjoying the position,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated chairmen, the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Timothy Nwachi, thanked the governor and APC stakeholders for giving them the opportunity to serve.
“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records a landslide in 2027,” Nwachi said.
Among those inaugurated were Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi. Osborne is the chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area.
Chidi Nwode, the younger brother of Governor Nwifuru’s wife, was inaugurated as the chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area.
The governor’s statement has raised questions about the distinction between the political expectations of a party and the statutory responsibilities of elected local government officials, whose primary obligation is to administer their councils and serve residents irrespective of political affiliation.
Although Nwifuru threatened to replace any chairman who failed to deliver electoral victory for the APC with a councillor, the removal of an elected local government chairman cannot legally be accomplished solely by a governor’s declaration.
Any removal would have to comply with the applicable state local government law, including stipulated procedures and fair-hearing requirements.
The Supreme Court has also repeatedly held that state governors cannot arbitrarily dissolve democratically elected local government councils or replace them with unelected administrations.
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