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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Nwifuru’s Comment: Ebonyi Opposition Will Not Be Intimidated, PDP Says

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Ebonyi PDP youth leader Kalu Francis Okechukwu condemned remarks attributed to Governor Francis Nwifuru as a threat to multiparty democracy.
  • Okechukwu said opposition members would continue to defend their constitutional rights through lawful political activity and urged supporters to remain peaceful.
  • He argued that the governor should present his administration’s record rather than use threats to influence electoral outcomes.

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State says it will not be intimidated after remarks attributed to Governor Francis Nwifuru triggered accusations of threatening democratic principles.

In a viral video, Nwifuru reportedly told newly inaugurated local government chairmen not to allow opposition parties to win in their areas. He warned that any chairman who failed to comply would be removed and was heard directing them to “deal with the opposition mercilessly.”

a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democratic foundations and a clear sign of political desperation

· Kalu Francis OkechukwuThe Ebonyi PDP youth leader characterized the governor’s attributed remarks.

Kalu Francis Okechukwu, the state PDP youth leader, described the comments as “a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democratic foundations and a clear sign of political desperation.” He said they were undemocratic and mocked the constitutional order underpinning Nigeria’s democracy.

Okechukwu said the remarks threatened the multiparty system guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and could turn local councils into instruments of political intimidation rather than institutions serving residents. He also said threats, thuggery and force should not be used to secure political support, arguing that an administration in office for more than three years should present its achievements to voters.

The best and only legitimate approach to seeking a second tenure is to account for stewardship before the electorate. Anything short of that is an admission of failure.

· Kalu Francis OkechukwuOkechukwu said the governor should campaign on his administration’s record.

“The best and only legitimate approach to seeking a second tenure is to account for stewardship before the electorate. Anything short of that is an admission of failure,” he said. Okechukwu said PDP members and Ebonyi residents would not abandon their constitutional rights. He urged party youths across the state’s 13 local government areas to remain law-abiding while resisting attempts to suppress political activity.

“Violence is not an option, but neither is surrender. We will defend our democratic space within the bounds of the law,” he said.

Violence is not an option, but neither is surrender. We will defend our democratic space within the bounds of the law.

· Kalu Francis OkechukwuHe urged PDP supporters to resist suppression through lawful political activity.
About this summary

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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