Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu handed political control of the state to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking during an APC stakeholders' rally in Abakaliki on June 15, Nwifuru dismissed reports that Wike and his allies had secured Tinubu's backing to take over the state's political structure.

According to the governor, some individuals have been telling supporters that President Tinubu had "given Ebonyi" to Wike and his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

"They said Nyesom Wike is their leader and that Wike said the president has given Ebonyi to him," Nwifuru said.

Responding to the claim, the governor warned that his administration would resist any attempt to undermine the APC's position in the state.

"We are not afraid. We only hold ourselves because our people are with us.

"Nobody should push us because we have all it takes to consume whoever is trying us; we have all it takes to destroy whoever is trying us."

Nwifuru maintained that Ebonyi remains an APC state and insisted that no individual could determine its political future.

The rally, organised to endorse President Bola Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru for re-election in 2027, was attended by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo.

The governor's remarks have sparked contrasting reactions within the PDP.

A faction aligned with Wike condemned the comments, describing them as reckless, inflammatory and a sign of desperation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Its spokesperson, Jungudo Mohammed, said the election would be decided by voters rather than threats or political intimidation. He also challenged Nwifuru to prepare to face the faction's governorship hopeful, Ifeanyi Odii, while calling on security agencies to take note of the governor's remarks.

However, another PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki defended Nwifuru, saying the governor merely condemned what it described as Wike's political interference outside his official jurisdiction.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the faction accused the FCT minister of using President Tinubu's name to influence political activities in states beyond the FCT.

Wike, who serves in President Tinubu's administration, has not publicly responded to Nwifuru's remarks.