Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has criticised individuals he accused of using social media platforms to undermine his administration and portray its performance negatively ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The governor expressed concern over claims that his administration had failed to make meaningful progress since assuming office, insisting that the development projects completed across the state tell a different story.
Nwifuru spoke at a cultural event in Ebonyi State, where he urged residents to examine the physical evidence of government projects rather than rely on what he described as politically motivated narratives circulating online.
Defending his administration’s record, the governor highlighted road construction as one of the major areas where his government had made significant progress.
“We have completed more than 500 kilometres of roads across the 13 Local Government Areas,” Nwifuru said.
According to him, the administration had also constructed roads linking Ebonyi with neighbouring states, as well as several span bridges intended to improve connectivity and facilitate movement of people and goods.
“I am shocked that people are saying we have not done anything for the state within the last three years in office,” he added.
The governor’s comments come as political activities and discussions surrounding the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum. With the performance of incumbent administrations expected to become a major issue in the political contest, Nwifuru urged citizens not to allow social media narratives to obscure what he described as his government’s achievements.
He cautioned against what he considered deliberate attempts to use online platforms to discredit public officials and influence public opinion for partisan purposes.
“People should not leverage social media to castigate our leaders and deny our sincere performances all in the name of politics,” the governor said.
Nwifuru also addressed political zoning and power-sharing arrangements in Ebonyi State, particularly within the Izhi clan, a major political bloc in Ebonyi North.
The governor said his administration had taken steps to maintain political balance and promote equity among the different groups within Izhi land.
“In the context of 2027, we have balanced power among the two kindreds in Izhi Land for the sake of equity and social justice,” he explained.
He warned individuals against attempting to challenge what he described as an established arrangement designed to preserve political stability and social harmony.
“No one should fight against this established order,” Nwifuru said.
The governor further cautioned against activities capable of creating division within the community, particularly those he said could undermine existing political and traditional structures.
He described individuals working against the established arrangement and allegedly creating disaffection as “strange elements,” arguing that such actions were inconsistent with the established norms of Izhi society.
“Those working against the established order and causing disaffection are strange elements, as these are not Izhi grundnorms,” he stated.
“We must resist them.”
Nwifuru’s remarks reflect the growing political significance of governance achievements, zoning arrangements and community alliances as Ebonyi approaches the 2027 election cycle. His administration is expected to face increased scrutiny over its performance, while supporters and critics continue to present competing assessments of its record.
For the governor, however, the emphasis remains on the physical projects executed across the state, particularly road infrastructure and connectivity. He maintained that residents should assess his administration based on its tangible interventions rather than what he characterised as politically driven social media commentary.
The debate over the administration’s performance is likely to remain a prominent feature of political discourse in Ebonyi as the 2027 election approaches, with infrastructure, political equity and the distribution of power expected to feature prominently in discussions about the state’s future.
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