Rep Ogah, Sets The Record Straight: Reveals what Governor Nwifuru Told Newly Sworn- in Council Chairmen

...Says Governor’s Message Was About Responsible Leadership, Accountability, Grassroots Development and Service to the People

The Member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Rt. Hon. (Comrade) Chinedu Ogah, OON, has set the record straight on the message delivered by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to the newly sworn-in Local Government Chairmen across the state.

Speaking on the political platform “Issues in the Polity,” the ranking federal lawmaker clarified that the Governor’s remarks had been misinterpreted, taken out of context and sensationalised by some media platforms, resulting in narratives that failed to reflect the true substance and intention of the Governor’s address.

According to Hon. Chinedu Ogah, the clearest way to understand the Governor’s message is to consider his actual words during the 1 August 2026 swearing-in ceremony at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki.

Governor Nwifuru charged the newly sworn-in council chairmen:

“Make sure you do projects at the grassroots and don’t inherit my enemies. Make peace with my enemies and work with the people. If you fail to work with the people, the masses will mobilise and remove you through the councillors.”

Ogah explained that the statement was fundamentally a call for inclusive governance, reconciliation, accountability, grassroots development and service to the people, rather than the political interpretation being circulated in some quarters.

He stressed that the Governor was directing the council chairmen to build bridges rather than walls, embrace their constituents irrespective of political differences, and ensure that their administrations are defined by projects, performance and people-centred leadership.

The lawmaker further recalled that Governor Nwifuru had also directed the council chairmen to reside in their respective Local Government headquarters, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to taking governance closer to the people.

He noted that the Governor had previously directed former council chairmen to construct official residential quarters at their respective headquarters, a policy he said has helped establish a new standard of grassroots administrative presence across the state.

According to Ogah, Governor Nwifuru’s message to the new council leadership was unmistakable: political victory must translate into good governance, and electoral mandates must produce tangible dividends for the people.

He explained that the newly inaugurated chairmen should not perceive their positions merely as political rewards, but as a solemn mandate to serve, provide purposeful leadership, promote peace and deliver meaningful development to their respective Local Government Areas.

Ogah stressed that the Nwifuru administration has consistently demonstrated its commitment to people-oriented governance, inclusive development, grassroots empowerment and responsive leadership, particularly through the implementation of the People’s Charter of Needs agenda.

He therefore urged the newly sworn-in chairmen to hit the ground running, remain accessible to their constituents, identify the genuine needs of their communities and prioritise projects capable of producing visible and sustainable impact.

The federal lawmaker also called for responsible and balanced media reportage, urging journalists, political commentators and members of the public to always consider the full context of public statements before drawing conclusions from sensational headlines or social media interpretations.

He maintained that Governor Nwifuru’s vision is anchored on continuity, stability, reconciliation, people-centred governance and sustainable development, stressing that the new council chairmen are strategic partners in taking the administration’s development agenda directly to the grassroots.

He equally reaffirmed his unwavering support for Governor Nwifuru’s leadership and development agenda, while calling on political stakeholders, elected representatives and citizens of Ebonyi State to remain united and focused on the collective task of building a stronger and more prosperous state.

He charged the new council chairmen to turn political mandates into development mandates, transform campaign promises into tangible projects, build bridges across political divides, and convert the confidence of the electorate into measurable achievements.