By Amaka Okafor
A socio cultural group identified as Umuekumenyi Leaders’ Council in Ebonyi state has thrown its weight behind businessman and former governorship aspirant, Chief Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Odii, endorsing him as its preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State.
The endorsement was contained in a communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abakaliki the state capital on Saturday and signed by the council’s spokesperson, Mr Emmanuell Nwibo .
The meeting brought together community leaders, professionals, women and youth representatives, and other stakeholders from the Umuekumenyi area to assess the state’s socio-economic and political situation.
The council expressed concern over what it described as declining governance standards, worsening economic hardship, youth unemployment and a slowdown in developmental activities across the state, warning that urgent action was needed to reverse the trend.
According to the communiqué, Ebonyi’s future leadership must be determined by competence, integrity, vision and proven capacity rather than zoning arrangements, political sentiments or geographical considerations.
“The development and progress of Ebonyi State can no longer be subjected to trial-and-error leadership. The overriding criteria for leadership selection must be based on competence, integrity, vision and commitment to good governance,” the council stated.
The stakeholders also urged the state government to tackle rising living costs, unemployment and declining business opportunities, while calling for greater transparency, accountability and public engagement in governance.
The council further lamented what it termed the abandonment of the developmental vision of the state’s founding fathers and called on political leaders and stakeholders to recommit themselves to unity, fairness, development and inclusive governance.
While welcoming the emergence of aspirants from various parts of the state ahead of the 2027 election, the group stressed that all contenders should be thoroughly scrutinised to ensure that whoever emerges possesses the capacity to restore Ebonyi’s developmental momentum and economic growth.
The communiqué, however, singled out Chief Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Odii for special commendation, describing him as “the most credible alternative” for Ebonyi at this critical period. “After careful consideration, the council views Chief Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Odii as the most credible alternative at this moment in our history and hereby adopts him as its preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State,” the council declared, urging him to remain steadfast despite political opposition and criticism.
