Election 2027: Opposition supports Ebonyi Odii PDP candidate, unveils 6-point agenda

The political-economic summit of Ebonyi people has countered the political stance of the incumbent administration by endorsing the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, for the 2027 elections and unveiling a six-point development agenda for the state.

The summit, which was held on Monday at DafoDil Resort, Abakaliki, came amid controversy over an earlier attempt to stop the gathering, with organizers claiming that the state security apparatus had moved to frustrate the initial venue before the meeting took place.

The development agenda, which covers fiscal transparency, agriculture, solid minerals, enterprise development, youth employment and infrastructure, has been presented as a policy framework for political parties seeking power in the state, with participants calling for a change of leadership and a governance model focused on measurable results.

In a statement signed by Moses Idika, Chairman of the Statement Drafting Committee, the summit said poverty, decaying infrastructure and governance concerns require urgent attention, urging political parties to come up with credible programs that will improve the living conditions of Ebonyi residents.

The summit endorsed Odii as a credible alternative to the incumbent administration, insisting that the 2027 governorship contest should be determined by candidates’ achievements, integrity, capabilities and development plans rather than incumbency, political influence or incentives.

“The slogan of automatic renewal has no constitutional basis,” the statement said, arguing that a second term should be earned through results and secured through the electoral process.

Odii was represented at the top by his running mate, lawyer Patrick Ngbebu.

Participants included representatives of political parties, community leaders, academics, civil society organisations, professionals, farmers, artisanal miners, youth and women’s groups, traders and members of the public.

On fiscal responsibility, the summit called for the publication of public budgets, citizens’ budgets and quarterly reports on budget implementation, as well as an open Treasury portal. It also proposes a minimum capital balance performance of 70% and the digitization of internally generated revenue.

To stimulate agriculture and economic growth, participants suggested three agricultural processing zones, with rice processing in Abakaliki, cassava and yam processing in Afikpo, and salt processing and aquaculture in Uburu.

They also called for the revival of the Ebonyi fertilizer plant and the creation of a state aggregation company to purchase and store agricultural produce, while helping secure prices for farmers.

On solid minerals, the summit proposed the registration of artisanal miners into cooperatives within six months and the creation of an Ebonyi solid mineral development company to attract investment in cement production, salt refining and lead and zinc processing within four years.

The statement also supports an Ebonyi Business Enabling Bill to establish a one-stop investment centre, provide for the issuance of land titles within 14 days and address multiple taxation affecting small and medium enterprises. It proposed annual skills training for 20,000 young people in processing, manufacturing and information and communication technology.

On infrastructure, the summit recommended the construction of 200 kilometers of crucial roads from fields to markets, dedicated electricity supply for industrial clusters and expanded broadband access to support e-governance and e-commerce.

He also called for greater investment in primary healthcare and basic education.

Beyond development proposals, the summit condemned what it described as the politics of fear and urged authorities to protect opposition politicians, critics, journalists and civil society organizations from threats, intimidation and harassment.

Recalling the struggle for the creation of Ebonyi State, participants called for inclusive political participation and warned against the marginalization of any sector of the state, insisting that political differences should not undermine the democratic rights of citizens.

The summit urged political parties and interest groups to place the collective interest of Ebonyi above personal ideology.