The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi has said the state does not belong to any particular political party, urging residents to defend democratic pluralism.

The party said they should also defend their constitutional right to choose their political leaders in 2027.

Chukwuma Igwe, the party’s state chairman, said this in a statement issued on Friday in Abakaliki, while reacting to alleged comments by Governor Francis Nwifuru at the inauguration of newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies.

The governor urged the council leaders to ensure that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won in their domains in the 2027 general elections.

The PDP chairman described the statement as a threat to democratic participation and political opposition in the state.

“This is not political banter; it is an open charge to visit official hostility upon citizens for no offence beyond their choice of party.

“We regard this incitement in substance of what it is an invitation to bloodshed and avoidable hostility,” he said.

Mr Chukwuma urged security agencies to discharge their responsibilities impartially and protect citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.

He said the PDP would not be intimidated into silence, adding that the party would use lawful and constitutional means to defend its members, structures and democratic rights.

“The Ebonyi State PDP will not fret, and we will not be intimidated into silence.

“We reaffirm our resolve to resist, through every lawful and constitutional avenue open to us, any further assault upon our members or structures,” he said.

The chairman called on democratic institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to pay attention to the political situation in Ebonyi ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Let it be known that Ebonyi State does not belong to one political party; its security architecture does not exist to serve one political entity; that principle is non-negotiable,” Mr Chukwuma said.

He further said the people should make the ultimate decision on the state’s leadership in 2027 through a free, fair and credible electoral process.

(NAN)