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The Ebonyi People’s Political/Economic Summit has countered the political position of the incumbent administration by endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, for the 2027 election and unveiling a six-point development agenda for the state.
The summit, which held at DafoDil Resort, Abakaliki, on Monday, came amid controversy over an earlier attempt to stop the gathering, with organisers alleging that state security apparatus had moved to frustrate the initial venue before the meeting eventually took place.
The development agenda, which covers fiscal transparency, agriculture, solid minerals, business development, youth employment and infrastructure, was 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 communiqué signed by Moses Idika, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, the summit said poverty, decaying infrastructure and governance concerns required urgent attention, urging political parties to present credible programmes capable of improving 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’ records, integrity, capacity and development plans rather than incumbency, political influence or inducement.
“The slogan of automatic renewal has no constitutional basis,” the communiqué stated, arguing that a second term should be earned through performance and secured through the electoral process.
Odii was represented at the summit by his running mate, Barrister Patrick Ngbebu.
Participants included political party representatives, community leaders, academics, civil society organisations, professionals, farmers, artisanal miners, youth and women groups, traders and members of the public.
On fiscal accountability, the summit called for the publication of government budgets, citizens’ budgets and quarterly budget implementation reports, as well as an Open Treasury Portal. It also proposed a minimum of 70 per cent capital budget performance and the digitisation of internally generated revenue.
To stimulate agriculture and economic growth, participants recommended three agro-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 Fertiliser Plant and the establishment of a state aggregation company to purchase and store farm produce while helping to guarantee prices for farmers.
On solid minerals, the summit proposed the registration of artisanal miners into cooperatives within six months and the establishment of an Ebonyi Solid Minerals Development Company to attract investment in cement production, salt refining, and lead and zinc processing within four years.
The communiqué also advocated an Ebonyi Business Enabling Law to establish a one-stop investment centre, provide for land titles to be issued within 14 days and address multiple taxation affecting small and medium-scale enterprises. It proposed annual skills training for 20,000 youths in processing, fabrication and information and communication technology.
For infrastructure, the summit recommended the construction of 200 kilometres of critical farm-to-market roads, dedicated electricity supply for industrial clusters and expanded broadband access to support e-governance and e-commerce.
It also called for increased investment in primary healthcare and basic education.
Beyond its 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 organisations against threats, intimidation and harassment.
Recalling the struggle for the creation of Ebonyi state, participants called for inclusive political participation and warned against marginalising any section of the state, insisting that political differences should not undermine citizens’ democratic rights.
The summit urged political parties and interest groups to place the collective interest of Ebonyi above personal ideology.
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