Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state has dismissed rumours of plans to impose candidates or encourage vote buying ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He assured the people that the process would be transparent and based on the wishes of the electorate.
His position appears to contrast with an earlier statement by the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, who advised aspirants to consult the governor before purchasing nomination forms. He said the party would not entertain requests for refunds from unsuccessful aspirants.
Governor Nwifuru spoke weekend during the solemnisation of the holy matrimony between his younger brother, Paulinus Nwifuru, and Immaculata at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki.
The governor said he had not endorsed any aspirant for the forthcoming elections except President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Goodluck Obinna Mbam, a member of the Ebonyi state House of Assembly, whom he said had already secured the backing of his constituents.
He said President Tinubu has demonstrated love and commitment to Ebonyi state through support and developmental projects, making him the preferred presidential candidate of the state.
“I have not made up my mind to support anybody except President Bola Tinubu, who has demonstrated love and support to us as a state, as well as Goodluck Obinna Mbam of the State House of Assembly, whom the constituents have equally endorsed,” Nwifuru said.
He cautioned political aspirants against inflammatory statements and actions capable of overheating the polity, urging them to remain calm and trust in divine destiny.