The Ebonyi State Government has raised the alarm over what it described as a coordinated “campaign of calumny” by opposition parties and their supporters against Governor Francis Nwifuru, as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The allegation was made by the Special Assistant to Governor Nwifuru on Inter-party Affairs, Sunday Nwambam, who said some opposition figures and self-styled civil society campaigners have abandoned issue-based politics for abusive and inflammatory rhetoric.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Nwambam condemned the trend, saying political campaigns should be about programmes, not personal attacks.
“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 a blind eye to the quantum of achievements of the present administration,” he said.
He accused opponents of ignoring the government’s record in infrastructure, education, security and economic empowerment while focusing on “unsubstantiated allegations.”
Nwambam stressed that criticism is allowed in democracy, but it must stay within the law.
“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,” he said.
To counter the criticism, Nwambam highlighted what he called key achievements of the administration since 2023:
1. Education: Establishment of universities at Ezza and Oferekpe, construction of smart schools across LGAs, and sponsorship of hundreds of Ebonyi indigenes for studies abroad.
2. Agriculture: Training and starter packs distributed to thousands of beneficiaries under the administration’s empowerment programmes.
3. Security: Measures to restore peace in previously troubled communities. Nwambam claimed there has been “no successful kidnapping or abduction incident in Ebonyi since Nwifuru assumed office.”
4. Infrastructure: Ongoing road projects and other government interventions across the state.
He also questioned the track record of some opposition figures who, he alleged, “return to the state during election periods with large convoys, before leaving after the elections,” without explaining their past contributions.
Nwambam expressed concern over the rise of abusive language in political discourse and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to enforce the Electoral Act 2026.
“Unfortunately, a high spate of campaigns 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,” he said.
Citing Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act, he said a candidate convicted of hate speech or incitement could face a fine of up to N5 million, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
“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.
The statement comes as political alignments and early campaigns begin to take shape across Ebonyi ahead of 2027.
As of press time, opposition parties in the state were yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
The Nwifuru administration has maintained that it will continue to focus on delivering governance while defending its record against what it calls politically motivated attacks.
