Nkechinyere Ewa
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Ex-Officio member of the party, Mazi Moses Idika, has dismissed calls for Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii to abandon his 2027 governorship ambition, insisting that the PDP candidate remains firmly in the race and is well-positioned to win the election.
Idika, who is also the spokesman of the Anyi Ga Emeya Movement, stated this in a statement issued on Sunday while reacting to comments by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Oguzor Kanu Offia Nwali, on the governorship contest in the state.
He challenged Nwali to focus on what he described as the achievements of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s administration rather than promoting arguments about zoning, which he said had never prevented qualified candidates from contesting governorship elections in the state.
According to him, governorship elections in Ebonyi since the return of democracy in 1999 have always been open contests involving candidates from different parts of the state, irrespective of zoning considerations.
Idika cited previous governorship elections in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023, arguing that politicians from the three senatorial districts had consistently participated in the contests and sought the mandate of the electorate.
The PDP chieftain further alleged that Nwali had failed to record significant achievements as commissioner despite the resources available to his ministry, urging him to concentrate on promoting the programmes and accomplishments of the current administration.
He also dismissed claims that Governor Nwifuru had concluded arrangements to hand over power to any particular section of the state in 2031, describing such narratives as speculative and politically motivated.
Defending the PDP governorship candidate, Idika described Odii as a patriot committed to the development of Ebonyi State through investment, industrialisation and economic growth. He maintained that Odii’s ambition was driven by a desire to improve the welfare of the people and expand economic opportunities across the state.
He said the 2027 governorship election should be determined by the electorate through the ballot box, stressing that democracy gives citizens the right to choose their leaders without restrictions based on political calculations.
Idika expressed confidence that the PDP candidate would emerge victorious in the election, insisting that Odii would remain in the race and continue to engage the people of Ebonyi State ahead of the poll.