The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, has declared that he will remain a contender in the February 6, 2027 governorship election, rejecting speculation that he intends to make way for the incumbent governor, Francis Nwifuru.
Odii said his interest in the election was driven by a desire to change the economic situation in the state, create jobs and improve living standards. He maintained that he had no plans to abandon his ambition.
He made his position known on Sunday while addressing journalists in Isu, his hometown in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The PDP candidate said the party selected him through a consensus process because of its confidence in his ability to lead. He argued that the people of Ebonyi needed leadership that would address their concerns rather than political arrangements aimed at determining who should contest.
Odii described reports of a possible withdrawal, which he associated with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, as political manoeuvres. He stressed that democratic competition should be respected and that no individual should be expected to surrender an electoral ambition without reason.
Although he said he held Umahi in high regard, Odii noted that the minister had not personally requested that he leave the race. He added that his decision to contest remained unchanged.
The candidate said his concern was less about personal ambition than the difficulties confronting residents. He called for greater attention to public welfare, arguing that political leaders should prioritise policies that improve people’s lives.
According to Odii, his proposed administration would pursue measures to reduce hunger, tackle poverty and expand employment opportunities. He said job creation would cover several fields, including the media industry and other professions.
He maintained that economic hardship was a common concern for people regardless of their background and that government policies should reflect the everyday needs of residents.
On his campaign activities, Odii disclosed that his team was reaching voters through household visits and direct engagement. He also cited his social media presence as an avenue for communicating his plans, claiming that his accounts had attracted close to three million followers worldwide.
He said he remained active in engaging his online audience and expected a strong response when the campaign’s official flag-off date was announced.
Odii also spoke about the support he believed he enjoyed across the South-East. He recalled seeing commercial tricycles and motorcycles carrying his name and photographs during his visits, saying residents came out to greet him.
Beyond his electoral ambition, the PDP candidate outlined proposals for improving healthcare in Ebonyi State, particularly through medical training and the development of a stronger health workforce.
He said the state needed a long-term approach to producing qualified medical personnel and improving their professional skills to meet the healthcare needs of its population.
Odii referred to figures attributed to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, which reportedly put the number of registered doctors at about 80,000, with roughly 55,000 practising in the country. He noted that many Nigerian medical professionals had moved abroad to work in countries across Europe, the United States and the Middle East.
He warned that the loss of trained personnel had worsened the pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system, leaving many communities without sufficient access to medical services.
Odii said the consequences were evident in the difficulties patients face when seeking treatment, particularly pregnant women, children and families who require specialist care. He also highlighted preventable deaths and maternal and infant mortality as continuing concerns.
The candidate said his bid for the governorship was an opportunity to pursue a different development agenda for Ebonyi, with an emphasis on economic growth, improved public services and long-term prosperity.
He appealed to eligible voters to support his aspiration, saying he wanted to work with residents to build a state with better opportunities for current and future generations.
Odii added that his travels outside Nigeria had exposed him to systems where effective leadership and properly managed institutions contribute to development. He said Ebonyi could make similar progress through purposeful governance and better use of its human resources.
He pointed to Nigerian-trained medical professionals as an example of the country’s talent, arguing that investment in education and professional development was essential to strengthening public services.
