Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu has ceded the state to the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The governor also rejected reports suggesting that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had boasted that President Tinubu had handed Ebonyi State over to him politically.

Addressing supporters at a political gathering, Nwifuru declared that Ebonyi people remained firmly rooted in the All Progressives Congress and would resist any attempt to undermine the party’s hold on the state.

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“This statement came out on the grounds that some people said they discussed with Mr President and that President Tinubu has given Ebonyi State to the PDP for the 2027 governorship election. They also said that their leader, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has said that President Tinubu has given Ebonyi State to him,” the governor said.

“We say to them, ‘Eyaa’. Is Ebonyi for sale?” he asked. Nwifuru insisted that his administration enjoyed the backing of the people of the state and warned against actions capable of testing the resolve of the APC in Ebonyi.

“Now, I want to sound this way as your governor, are we afraid? We are holding ourselves because our people are with us. Nobody should push us because we have all it takes to consume whomever is trying us,” he said.

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“We have all it takes to destroy whomever is trying us. Is it not true?” he added. The governor said the remarks were intended to send a clear message that Ebonyi remained an APC stronghold.

“We are sending a message today, directly or indirectly, that we are members of the All Progressives Congress and that’s where we belong; that’s where Ebonyi people belong,” he said.

“And whomever it is trying our resolve, the outcome will be very funny for him.” Nwifuru’s comments come amid increasing political manoeuvring and speculation ahead of the 2027 general elections.