By Nkechinyere Ewa
Tobias Nnabuike Oriji has emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State.
Oriji emerged through a consensus arrangement during the party’s governorship primary election conducted across the 171 wards of the state on Friday.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, the ADC flagbearer, who hails from Oferekpe Agbaja community in Izzi Local Government Area, said his ambition was motivated by the need to provide what he described as “a new direction” for Ebonyi State.
He identified unemployment, inadequate youth empowerment and poor electricity supply as major challenges confronting residents, promising to address them through policies centred on economic growth, agriculture and social welfare.
According to him, his administration would focus on creating opportunities for young people, boosting agricultural productivity and improving the living conditions of citizens across the state.
“Our youths are suffering. If elected governor, I will prioritise youth empowerment, agriculture and economic development so that our people can live better lives,” he stated.
Oriji described himself as a businessman, agriculturist and university graduate with years of experience in private sector engagements, insisting that he possesses the leadership capacity needed to govern the state effectively.
The ADC candidate also expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the 2027 governorship election, declaring that the opposition party was prepared to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State.
“I have already defeated him politically. What remains is the swearing-in ceremony. By the grace of God, on May 29, 2027, we shall occupy the Government House,” he declared.
On concerns over the financial demands of the governorship race, Oriji maintained that he was adequately prepared for the contest.
“If I do not have the resources, I would not have joined the race. I paid for the nomination form myself and I am fully prepared,” he added.
Commenting on the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Oriji noted that every leader has a different governing style, stressing that he intends to introduce fresh ideas and programmes aimed at accelerating development in the state.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Electoral Matters and State Returning Officer of the ADC, Mr. Bassey Edogi Imoke, said the party adopted an electronic register system to ensure transparency and credibility in the conduct of the primary election.
Imoke disclosed that 12,889 delegates were electronically registered, while 6,730 delegates were accredited across the 13 local government areas, with 6,400 delegates eventually voting during the exercise.
According to him, the governorship primary was conducted at the ward level in line with directives from the national leadership of the party before results were collated at the local government and state levels.
“The figures are verifiable because they are on our electronic portal. We deliberately adopted a transparent process different from the irregular methods associated with some political parties,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee in Ebonyi State, Dr. Paschal Okafor, described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, noting that it complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“The delegates conducted themselves responsibly and there has been no rancour throughout the exercise,” he said.
Okafor explained that the party adopted both consensus and direct primary modes depending on the number of aspirants contesting various positions.
Similarly, the Secretary of the Electoral Committee and Deputy National Auditor of the ADC, Princess Nneka Nnebu, commended delegates, party officials and stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, adding that no security breach was recorded.
She noted that party executives across the 13 local government areas actively participated in the exercise.
In her remarks, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the ADC, Dr. Mrs. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, disclosed that the party had also concluded primaries for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate positions across the state.
Adibe-Nwafor added that security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), monitored the exercise alongside journalists and other observers to ensure transparency and orderliness.
She expressed optimism that the ADC would perform strongly in the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State, describing the party as a growing coalition platform gaining wider acceptance among the electorate.