Ebonyi Needs New Direction, Says PDP Gov Candidate Odii

Chukwuma Odii, the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate for governor of Ebonyi State in 2027, has pledged to usher in "transformational governance" if elected, emphasizing the need for visionary leadership to unlock the state's potential.

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What Ebonyi needs today is not sectional politics. What Ebonyi needs today is not division. What Ebonyi needs today is not bitterness. What Ebonyi needs today is leadership. Visionary leadership. Competent leadership. Inclusive leadership. Purpose-driven leadership. Transformational leadership.

Speaking at a consultative meeting with Ebonyi's business community and professionals in Abuja, Odii declared that the state is currently hampered by "poor leadership." He urged residents to leverage the 2027 election to choose a competent and forward-thinking leader capable of driving progress through investments in education, infrastructure, human capital development, and institutional reforms.

Odii outlined a transformative agenda centered on education, human capital development, infrastructure, tourism, institutional reforms, the rule of law, and security. He asserted that Ebonyi has yet to realize its full potential and called for public support, stating the state requires a "new direction" for sustainable growth. "What Ebonyi needs today is not sectional politics. What Ebonyi needs today is not division. What Ebonyi needs today is not bitterness. What Ebonyi needs today is leadership," he declared.

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This is why I stand before you today. Not because I seek power. But because I seek service. Not because I seek position. But because I seek progress. Not because I seek privilege. But because I seek transformation.

The PDP candidate vowed to initiate "the most ambitious human capital development program in the history of Ebonyi State," aiming to empower youths to become employers, exporters, and global innovators. He highlighted significant challenges in Ebonyi's education sector, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient teacher welfare, and poor learning outcomes, alongside funding and research limitations in tertiary institutions.

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As governor, I will launch the most ambitious human capital development programme in the history of Ebonyi State. I will ensure that our youths occupy the commanding heights of the productive economy. I want Ebonyi youths to become employers of labour. I want Ebonyi youths to become exporters. I want Ebonyi youths to become global innovators. I want Ebonyi youths to compete with the best anywhere in the world.

Odii drew a comparison with neighboring South-East states like Anambra, Enugu, Imo, and Abia, which he noted have made substantial investments in education, innovation, technology, and human capital. He stressed that Ebonyi must catch up to achieve sustainable development and urged the electorate to support his vision for progress.

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Education in Ebonyi State faces serious challenges. School infrastructure remains inadequate in many communities. Teacher quality and welfare require significant improvement. Learning outcomes remain below expectations. Our tertiary institutions face funding and research limitations.