By Nkechinyere Ewa
The Special Assistant to Ebonyi State Governor on Interparty Affairs, Comrade Sunday Nwambam, has urged opposition politicians and their supporters to stop what he described as a campaign of calumny against Governor Francis Nwifuru and focus on issues of governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nwambam made the call on Wednesday in Abakaliki during a press briefing on what he described as the increasing use of abusive and inflammatory rhetoric by opposition figures and their supporters in the state.
He alleged that some failed political actors, content creators and individuals parading themselves as civil society campaigners had resorted to personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations against the governor instead of offering constructive alternatives to the people.
The governor’s aide said political opposition was legitimate in a democracy, stressing, however, that such opposition must operate within the confines of the law.
He particularly criticised former media aide to former Governor Dave Umahi, Charles Otu, over comments he allegedly made about Governor Nwifuru during a television appearance.
Nwambam described the alleged comments as “low” and “abysmally poor,” arguing that political debate should be centred on the governor’s policies, programmes and performance rather than his family or private life.
He similarly criticised Chika Nwoba for what he described as attempts to make claims about the governor’s health without basis.
According to Nwambam, the alleged attacks were part of a deliberate effort to discredit the administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the administration had recorded achievements in infrastructure, education, security and economic empowerment, which he argued should form the basis of any assessment of the governor’s performance.
He listed the establishment of universities at Ezza and Oferekpe, foreign scholarship programmes, agricultural empowerment initiatives, construction of smart schools and road projects among the administration’s interventions.
Nwambam also highlighted the state government’s security efforts, claiming that there had been no successful kidnapping or abduction in the state since Governor Nwifuru assumed office.
He questioned the records of some politicians presenting themselves as alternatives to the incumbent administration, accusing them of returning to the state mainly during election seasons.
The governor’s aide further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to enforce the law against politicians who violate provisions governing campaign language.
He said the recent warning by INEC against abusive, inflammatory and threatening language ahead of the 2027 elections should not remain a mere advisory.
Nwambam specifically urged the electoral body to apply the sanctions provided under the law against offenders, citing Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act 2026.
He also defended Governor Nwifuru over recent comments which, according to him, had been interpreted by critics as threatening to Ebonyians.
He maintained that the governor’s comments were intended as fatherly guidance to citizens on the political direction of the country and should not be misconstrued as a threat.
Nwambam called on political actors to avoid rhetoric capable of creating tension in the state, stressing that the interest of Ebonyi should supersede partisan considerations.
“Let us all remember that Ebonyi is for all of us and must be peaceful enough for everyone to live in,” he said.