‘Your job is to service stakeholders’ – Nwifuru tells newly sworn-in LG chairmen

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has officially inaugurated the 13 newly elected Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen in a ceremony held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, on Sunday.

During the swearing-in event, Governor Nwifuru emphasized the importance of local government autonomy, both financially and administratively, and urged the new chairmen to take their responsibilities seriously. He stressed that their primary duty is to serve and support stakeholders, including government appointees, ward councillors, and traditional rulers, to maintain peace and unity within the state.

“You are now autonomous both financially and administratively,” Nwifuru stated. “Myself, my wife, and all the stakeholders in the state are with you. Every statement you make now will be scrutinized, so be mindful. If your autonomy leads to conflicts, I will not hesitate to intervene, even if it means fighting silently.”

The governor warned the chairmen against being influenced by social media, particularly Facebook, and reminded them that their job is to serve the stakeholders—the youth, elders, and women—by empowering and ensuring their comfort.

Nwifuru also urged the chairmen to focus on infrastructural development, noting that the state still faces challenges in this area. He called for prudent and assertive resource management to address these issues effectively.

In addition, the governor cautioned against the imposition of traditional rulers on communities, stressing the importance of selecting leaders with deep knowledge of the people’s traditions. He warned that appointing unsuitable individuals could have detrimental consequences for the state’s growth.

The event also featured remarks from prominent figures, including Comrade Chinedu Ogah, member representing Ikwo/Ezza South federal constituency, and representatives from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). They praised the approval of local government autonomy as a positive development and commended Governor Nwifuru for his commitment to implementing the law.