The Ebonyi State Government has dismissed reports of a rift between Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, said Governor Nwifuru did not threaten Wike during the June 15 endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in Abakaliki.

According to Omebeh, the governor’s remarks were directed at opposition figures allegedly spreading misinformation and claiming to act on behalf of the FCT minister.

“At no time did Governor Francis Nwifuru issue any threat against the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike,” the commissioner said. He explained that the governor only warned individuals “fanning the embers of crisis” and spreading propaganda in the minister’s name.

Omebeh also clarified that Nwifuru’s use of the word “consume” during the rally was figurative, saying it referred to those who violate the law despite repeated warnings.

He maintained that Nwifuru and Wike enjoy a cordial relationship built on mutual respect, insisting that attempts by factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to portray a feud between the two leaders would not succeed.

The commissioner further urged the PDP to focus on resolving its internal challenges instead of criticising the Ebonyi State Government, claiming the party poses no significant threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

The clarification followed reactions to comments made by Governor Nwifuru at the rally, where he alleged that some individuals claiming to be allies of Wike had been telling residents that President Bola Tinubu had handed Ebonyi State over to the PDP.

The governor reaffirmed that Ebonyi remains an APC-controlled state and warned those spreading what he described as false claims to desist or face the consequences of the law.