The newly sworn-in Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Eze Paul Ituma, has warned opposition political parties and their supporters against engaging in political activities in the area ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ituma issued the warning while speaking on political activities in the council, saying anyone who attempted to operate against his political interests could be declared persona non grata.

“Anyone who dares to do so will be declared persona non grata. This is the time for politics. I don’t have a shop at the International Market; politics is my business. Anyone who wants to put sand in my garri should not come close to Ohaukwu,” he said in a viral video.

Ituma, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was recently sworn in as chairman of the local government.

His comments came after Governor Francis Nwifuru warned that any local government chairman who failed to secure victory for the APC in his council in the 2027 elections would be removed from office.

Nwifuru issued the warning in Abakaliki, the state capital, during the inauguration of the newly elected chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 13 local government areas in the state.

“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councillor. I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we would not speak in secret,” Nwifuru said.

“The chairmen know we would win in the state, and if they choose to sleep and allow others to take their areas, they would be removed.” (Daily Trust)