By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, has dismissed reports that he is stepping down for Governor Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Odii also denied claims that the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had asked him to abandon his ambition, describing the reports as propaganda and political manoeuvring.
Speaking in reaction to the rumour that he had discontinued his governorship ambition on Umahi’s instructions, Odii said he had not discussed the issue with the minister, let alone received any request to withdraw from the race.
“My ambition is beyond whether you are my uncle or my cousin. I am contesting as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party because they gave me the mandate under the Constitution. That means they found me eligible to be governor of Ebonyi State,” he said.
Odii, who acknowledged his family relationship with Umahi, said the minister had not asked him to step down and expressed confidence that he would not make such a request.
“He will not ask me, and I don’t think he will ask me because I believe he’s a democrat. I believe he’s an elected man. He knows what the Constitution says.
“He’s on the APC platform, while I’m in the PDP. It’s a different platform. He’s my uncle. Like I said, I wouldn’t deny him, but he has not asked me, and I don’t think he will ask me. I’m still in the race,” he said.
The PDP candidate said his ambition was driven by his desire to improve the welfare of Ebonyi residents, adding that the state needed a government focused on tackling hunger, creating jobs and delivering good governance.
“I’m running the race because of people like you and the masses. I’m very compassionate about how Ebonyi should get better. When I look at how things are happening in Ebonyi, I feel saddened. We should be talking about the general interests of the people and the betterment of Ebonyians, not only for today but for tomorrow,” he said.
“Good governance is what we need in Ebonyi. A hungry man does not know whether he’s coming from the south or not. We are trying to bring a government that will say bye-bye to hunger in Ebonyi, a government that will bring about employment,” he added.
Odii also disclosed that the date for the formal flag-off of his campaign would be announced soon.
“Our campaign flag-off will be announced very soon. Once we announce it, you will see the difference,” he said.
On investments in Ebonyi
Reacting to allegations that he had no investments or house in Abakaliki, the state capital, Odii defended his contributions to the state, citing his philanthropic activities, scholarships and interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said his support for residents, including the distribution of relief materials across local government areas during the pandemic, reflected his commitment to the welfare of the people.
Odii said the then state government, led by Umahi, had acknowledged his COVID-19 intervention, adding that he had also supported more than 2,000 people, including indigenes and non-indigenes.
He argued that his investments in the people were more important than owning properties in different locations.
“I don’t want to have houses everywhere I go. I’ve a house in my village. If the road is very good, it takes about 25 to 40 minutes to get here from Abakaliki, and I’m a village man. I want to be very close to my people at every given time,” he said.
Odii further alleged that the present administration revoked a parcel of land he had purchased in Abakaliki, where he intended to begin a project.
He attributed the alleged revocation to disagreements over his empowerment activities, claiming that he had been supporting people long before Nwifuru became governor.
“My offence is because I’ve always been empowering people. I’ve always been doing that 21 years ago. It’s my business, not his business,” he said.
Odii also cited his school-building and scholarship initiatives as evidence of his contributions to education and community development in the state.
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