Odii Remains Ebonyi PDP Gubernatorial Candidate for 2027, Says Idika

A senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mazi Moses Idika, who also serves as a factional National Ex‑Officio member, has rejected calls for the party’s 2027 Ebonyi State governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, to withdraw on zoning grounds. Idika maintains that Odii, a businessman and philanthropist, should remain in the race.

Idika contended that the Ebonyi governorship seat has historically been contested by candidates from all three senatorial districts and that no constitutional rule bars a qualified individual from running.

He noted that since 1999, elections in Ebonyi have featured candidates from the North, Central and South senatorial districts, regardless of any political arrangements or zoning claims.

Idika argued that Chief Odii’s ambition is legitimate and should be decided by voters at the ballot box rather than by what he called an “imaginary zoning system.”

He also challenged supporters of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s re‑election bid to focus on the administration’s achievements instead of succession politics.

Idika accused the state government of neglecting critical developmental issues and expressed confidence that Odii would present an alternative vision centered on investment, industrialisation and economic growth.

The PDP stalwart described Odii as a patriotic leader dedicated to improving the welfare of Ebonyi people and opening the state to greater economic opportunities.

“Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii will contest, he will win, and Ebonyi people will be happy again,” Idika said.

He urged Ebonyi residents to decide the state’s next governor through democratic means in the 2027 governorship election.

The statement comes amid increasing political activity and realignments among parties in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.