By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki
Opposition political parties and civil society organisations in Ebonyi State have condemned alleged threats, intimidation and harassment of opposition figures, critics and the media, demanding equal protection for all parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The parties rejected what they described as the politics of fear, insisting that the election should be decided on candidates’ records, competence, integrity and policy proposals rather than incumbency or the use of state machinery.
Their position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Ebonyi State Peoples’ Political and Economic Summit, held at DafoDil Resort in Abakaliki, under the theme, “Ebonyi on the Pathway to Good Governance and Economic Summit.”
The summit attracted political parties and stakeholders, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), Labour Party (LP) and National Democratic Party (NDP), as well as civil society organisations, community leaders, scholars, professionals, farmers, artisanal miners, youths, women’s groups, traders and members of the diaspora.
The PDP governorship candidate was represented by his running mate, Barrister Patrick Ngbebu, while the NDC governorship candidate and the NDP state chairman also participated in the gathering.
In the communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Mr Moses Idika, the participants described Ebonyi as being at a crossroads, citing concerns over poverty, governance, deteriorating infrastructure and threats to the state’s unity.
They urged all political actors and parties to operate within the law, noting that the state had been guided by constitutional principles since its creation on October 1, 1996.
On the 2027 governorship election, the communiqué stated that a second term in office should not be regarded as automatic but earned through performance.
“The Constitution in Sections 179 and 180 fixes a four-year term, permits a second term only on re-election, and holds an incumbent to the same electoral threshold as every other candidate. The slogan of automatic renewal has no constitutional basis,” the communiqué read.
The summit consequently called for the 2027 election to be determined by candidates’ records, capacity, integrity and credible development plans rather than incumbency, political influence, sentiment or inducement.
“The summit rejects the politics of fear. We condemn any threat, intimidation or harassment of opposition figures, critics, civil society and the press, and demand equal protection for all parties and candidates,” it stated.
The participants also urged Ebonyi residents to demand accountability from past and present officeholders and assess all aspirants, including those seeking to replace the incumbent administration, on their records, character, competence and transparency.
In a politically charged assessment, the summit declared that, based on the evidence presented to it, the current administration had not justified a renewal of its mandate.
It endorsed the candidacy of Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii of the PDP, describing him as a credible alternative to lead the state.
The communiqué also outlined six priority areas it said should form the minimum development agenda for any party seeking the mandate of Ebonyi residents.
They include fiscal transparency and accountability, economic diversification, the transformation of agriculture into agro-industry, mining reform, human capital development and an improved business environment, as well as infrastructure development.
On infrastructure, the summit proposed the construction of 200 kilometres of critical farm-to-market roads, dedicated power supply for industrial clusters and expanded broadband access to support electronic governance and e-commerce.
The participants urged political parties, politicians and interest groups to put the interests of the state above personal ambition and political manoeuvring.
“We cannot afford to mortgage the future of our dear state, that of our children and generations unborn on the altar of power entitlement, primordial sentiments and political manoeuvring,” the communiqué stated.
Summit Relocated After Hotel Disruption
Meanwhile, the event was reportedly disrupted earlier in the day when armed youths suspected by organisers to be members of the Neighbourhood Watch barricaded Genza Hotel, the original venue for the summit.
The organisers subsequently relocated the gathering to another hotel, where the proceedings took place.
The circumstances surrounding the reported barricade and the identities of those involved were not independently established in the information provided.
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