Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has sent a strong message to newly elected local government chairmen in the state — public office is not your ticket to sudden riches.
In a no-nonsense charge that many Nigerians wish their leaders would hear more often, Governor Nwifuru made it crystal clear that anyone stepping into a government position must come with the mindset of a servant, not a businessman looking for the next big deal.
“Come to Serve, Not to Chop”
The governor’s message could not have been more timely. As the newly elected local government chairmen across Ebonyi State settle into their positions, Nwifuru wasted no time laying down the law. He urged them to carry out their duties with utmost diligence, stressing that the resources of the people must be used strictly for the benefit of those same people.
For many ordinary Nigerians — from the market woman in Abakaliki to the okada rider in Ezza — this kind of warning is music to the ears. Too often, people have watched elected officials arrive in office driving rickety cars, only to acquire mansions and fleets of exotic vehicles within months of being sworn in. Governor Nwifuru is clearly signalling that such behaviour will not be tolerated on his watch.
Why This Message Matters for Grassroots Governance
Local government administration is arguably the tier of governance that touches everyday Nigerians the most. It is at this level that roads in your street get fixed, primary schools receive attention, primary healthcare centres are stocked, and markets are properly managed.
When LG chairmen treat their positions as personal ATM machines, it is the ordinary citizen who suffers. The pregnant woman who cannot access quality healthcare at the local clinic. The school pupil sitting on the floor because there are no chairs. The farmer whose rural road has been in disrepair for decades.
Governor Nwifuru’s charge is therefore not just a warning — it is a reminder of what local government is actually supposed to do.
Accountability Must Start From the Bottom
Nigeria’s fight against corruption cannot be won at the federal level alone. It must be fought street by street, ward by ward, and council by council. When local government officials are held accountable, the ripple effect on national development is enormous.
The governor’s words echo what civil society organisations, anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC, and everyday Nigerians have been saying for years — public office is a trust, not a privilege to be exploited.
The Ball Is Now in the Chairmen’s Court
Fine words from a governor are one thing. Implementation is another matter entirely. The newly elected chairmen in Ebonyi State now have both an opportunity and a responsibility — to prove that local governance in Nigeria can actually work for the people.
Nigerians are watching. Their constituents are watching. And if Governor Nwifuru’s words are anything to go by, the governor himself is watching too.
As they say in our local parlance — “Na the one wey e do, we go judge am by.”
The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, made these remarks while addressing newly elected local government chairmen in the state.
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