‘Retract Or Resign!’: PDP Fires Fiery Ultimatum At Governor Nwifuru Over Drumbeats Of Political War
The atmosphere in the capital city of Abakaliki, usually filled with the gentle hum of daily commerce, grew sharp and heavy this week. The political landscape of Ebonyi State—long a battleground of fierce loyalties—shifted from a quiet cold war into open, public defiance.
The spark was lit at what was supposed to be a celebratory event. Standing before a sea of newly sworn-in local government chairmen and ruling party loyalists, Governor Francis Nwifuru took the microphone. His words, intended to rally his base, sent shockwaves far beyond the walls of the government house.
“Deal with them mercilessly,” the directive echoed, absolute and unyielding. It was an explicit command to secure total dominance for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections. To the opposition, it sounded less like a political strategy and more like a declaration of war.
The reaction from the opposition camp was swift and unblinking.
On Friday, Darlington Peter-Onwe, the firebrand Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi, stepped into a local radio studio. As the red “On Air” light flickered to life, he chose not to mince words. His voice, carried over the airwaves into thousands of living rooms and marketplaces across the state, delivered an uncompromising ultimatum.
“The governor must retract his remarks, tender an unreserved apology, or pack his bags and resign,” Peter-Onwe declared, his tone cutting through the static.
The PDP argues that the governor’s rhetoric has effectively placed a target on the backs of opposition members and independent journalists alike. By invoking images of merciless crackdowns, they claim the administration is violating its sacred constitutional oath to protect the lives and properties of all citizens, regardless of their political stripes.
As dusk settles over Ebonyi, the state finds itself at a tense crossroads. The opposition has drawn a clear line in the sand, and all eyes are now on the government house. Will the administration offer a diplomatic retreat, or will the political rhetoric tighten into an even fiercer grip?
