Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Ebonyi State Government has accused opposition parties and their supporters of engaging in a campaign of calumny against Governor Francis Nwifuru ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The government alleged that some opposition figures and individuals presenting themselves as civil society campaigners had resorted to abusive statements and inflammatory rhetoric against the governor and his administration.
The allegation was made by the Special Assistant to Governor Nwifuru on Inter-party Affairs, Sunday Nwambam, who condemned what he described as an attempt to discredit the state government rather than engage in issue-based political campaigns.
Nwambam said the political season should provide an opportunity for political parties and candidates to present their programmes to the electorate instead of making what he described as unsubstantiated allegations against the government.
He accused some opposition actors of deliberately ignoring the achievements of the Nwifuru administration in infrastructure, education, security and economic empowerment.
“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,” he said.
Nwambam maintained that political opponents had the right to criticise the administration and canvass support for their preferred candidates, but insisted that such activities must be conducted within the boundaries of the law.
He said the governor’s administration was established under the Constitution and should be engaged through lawful and democratic means.
“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,” he said.
Highlighting some of the administration’s achievements, Nwambam said the state government had established universities at Ezza and Oferekpe and sponsored hundreds of Ebonyi indigenes for studies abroad.
He also cited the government’s agricultural empowerment programmes, which he said had provided training and starter packs to thousands of beneficiaries.
According to him, the administration has also implemented measures aimed at restoring peace in previously troubled communities while strengthening security across the state.
Nwambam claimed that there had been no successful kidnapping or abduction incident in Ebonyi since Nwifuru assumed office, describing the development as evidence of the administration’s security efforts.
He further pointed to the construction of smart schools across various local government areas and other government projects as evidence of the administration’s performance.
The governor’s aide questioned the records of some opposition figures who, he alleged, were presenting themselves as alternatives to the current administration without adequately explaining their previous contributions to the state.
He also criticised what he described as a pattern in which politicians allegedly return to the state during election periods with large convoys, before leaving after the elections.
Nwambam’s comments came amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and recent warnings concerning inflammatory political rhetoric.
He expressed concern over what he described as an increase in abusive and incendiary statements in the state, saying such rhetoric could undermine peaceful political participation.
The governor’s aide also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to enforce relevant provisions of the Electoral Act against individuals who engage in hate speech or incitement during political campaigns.
“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,” he said.
Nwambam called on INEC to ensure that anyone found to have violated applicable electoral laws was held accountable.
“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,” he added.
He cited Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act, claiming that a candidate convicted of using hate speech or inciting violence during campaigns could face a fine of up to N5 million, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
The Ebonyi State Government has continued to defend the performance of the Nwifuru administration as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
The opposition parties in the state have yet to publicly respond to the allegations contained in Nwambam’s statement.