At a vibrant grand rally held in Abakaliki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) moved swiftly to dismantle bubbling rumors that had been circulating through the state’s political corridors. There had been whispered suggestions—likely fueled by the opposition—that President Bola Tinubu might secretly back the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State. Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, representing the party’s national leadership, took the stage to address these claims head-on, labeling the narrative as the “greatest fabrication in history.” He made it clear that there was absolutely no truth to the idea that the President had entered into any backroom deal to facilitate a PDP resurgence in the region.
The tension had been rising after Governor Francis Nwifuru voiced legitimate concerns about local PDP leaders openly boasting that they had secured an endorsement from high-level federal officials. To rectify this, Prof. Yilwatda offered a firm, public rejection of the rumors. He emphasized that the President is fully committed to the APC’s success in Ebonyi and that the party continues to view the state as an APC stronghold. In his address, he insisted that there is simply “no vacancy” for the opposition in the state, effectively shutting down the psychological warfare the PDP had been attempting to wage against the ruling party’s supporters.
Beyond the defensive rhetoric, the atmosphere at the rally was one of deep gratitude and collective forward-looking momentum. Governor Nwifuru used the platform to reinforce the state’s loyalty to the federal administration, framing the gathering not just as a political event, but as a formal “thank you” to President Tinubu. The Governor noted that the support for the President’s second term is not born out of blind political loyalty, but from the tangible, visible improvements he has brought to the state’s infrastructure and economy. For a region that has often felt disconnected from federal dividends, the governor argued that this administration has shown a refreshing dedication to practical results.
Prof. Yilwatda took a moment to appeal to the emotional intelligence of the Ebonyi people, urging them to recognize the President’s genuine efforts to mend the long-standing infrastructure deficits that have historically plagued the South-East zone. He specifically pointed to the President’s decision to entrust one of the region’s own with the monumental task of fixing the road networks—a chronic issue that has hindered trade and development for decades. By positioning these federal appointments not just as political favors, but as strategic moves to empower local leadership, the APC leaders sought to foster a deeper sense of partnership between Aso Rock and the people of Ebonyi.
Furthermore, the rally served as a powerful rallying cry to the party faithful to remain steadfast despite external provocations. The leadership understood that political gossip is often a tool used to discourage voters, and they were eager to neutralize that influence before it could take root among the electorate. By standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the podium, both national and state leaders communicated a sense of unity. They reminded the crowd that the real metric of their support remains the visible impact of the President’s policies, which they claim are already paying dividends across the state.
As the event concluded, the overarching message was clear: Ebonyi is not for sale, and its political allegiance remains firmly with the APC. The rally effectively rebranded the narrative from one of uncertainty to one of defiant solidarity. By publicly dismissing the rumors and anchoring their cause on the actual developmental progress being made, the APC in Ebonyi is positioning itself to enter the upcoming election cycle with a unified front, leaving the opposition to deal with the reality that their claims of federal back-channel deals failed to gain any real traction with the masses.