By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has charged the newly sworn-in chairmen of the 13 Local Government Areas in the state to show no mercy to opposition parties in their respective jurisdictions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Nwifuru gave the charge on Tuesday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki, the state capital, while addressing the newly inaugurated council chairmen.

The governor urged the council chairmen to live up to the expectations of the people by delivering on their responsibilities and ensuring effective administration and development in their respective local government areas.

Nwifuru warned that he would not hesitate to take action against any council chairman who failed to perform, stressing that the chairmen must justify the confidence reposed in them by the people and the government.

He further cautioned the newly sworn-in officials not to become complacent because of their positions, insisting that their performance would be closely monitored by his administration.

The governor, while speaking on the political situation ahead of the 2027 general elections, charged the council chairmen to strengthen the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in their respective local government areas.

Nwifuru used strong words in directing the chairmen on how to approach opposition parties, declaring: “Let me sound it this way, and I want to see it on the pages of newspapers tomorrow: deal with opposition parties mercilessly.”

The governor also warned that any council chairman who failed to meet his administration’s expectations could be removed from office, adding that he would take decisive action if necessary when he secures a second term in office.

The governor’s charge has placed renewed attention on the role of the newly sworn-in council chairmen in both local government administration and the political activities of their respective areas as Ebonyi prepares for the next general elections.