Again, Odii Wins Ebonyi PDP Governorship Primary

Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii

From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has been declared the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Ebonyi State, conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Odii, who came second in the 2023 governorship election, emerged unopposed during Tuesday’s exercise, which was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The chairman of the committee that conducted the primary, Dr. Lekon Rotimi, declared Odii the winner at the party’s collation centre in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Tuesday evening.
Rotimi said Odii polled a total of 8,281 votes to emerge as the consensus candidate of the party.
“I am glad to announce that from the 13 local government areas of the state, we recorded a total of 8,281 votes for the sole candidate of the PDP governorship primary.
“After careful collation and verification of all the results received from the local government areas, I, as the returning officer for this election, hereby declare the outcome of the exercise and congratulate the winner.
“I therefore declare and return Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii as the winner of this governorship primary,” he said.
The state chairman of the party, Chukwuma Igwe, described the exercise as peaceful and successful.
“We have conducted all our primaries through consensus because the PDP is a peaceful family in Ebonyi State. Everything we do is aimed at showing others the right path to follow.
“We are always leading the way, and everybody knows where PDP stands and the direction we are heading. Very soon, you will see the moving train. The time of the locusts is over.
“In today’s election, we successfully carried out our primary from the ward level to the local government areas, which is why the process lasted until late,” Igwe stated.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at the collation centre after the declaration of the result, the PDP governorship candidate commended the peaceful and successful conduct of the primary and urged party faithful and supporters to enthrone good governance in the state.
He accused the current administration in the state of running what he described as a “personal family business government,” insisting that such a system was unacceptable.
Odii further stated that he joined the 2027 governorship race to liberate the state and restore purposeful leadership.
“Ebonyi can never be consumed. Ebonyi can never be conquered. Ebonyi can never become a personal family business, and we are here to rescue our dear state.
“I do not need anyone to celebrate me, clap for me, or sing my praises. What matters is the task ahead of us, and that task is how to recover Ebonyi and place it on the path of sustainable development.
“It is time to enthrone good governance — governance that will benefit both the present and unborn generations; governance that will improve the welfare of men and women across the state.
“It is about governance that will guarantee better welfare for citizens, civil servants, teachers, and workers. It is about governance that will stimulate economic growth in Ebonyi State, and that is why I have made myself available under the platform of the PDP.
“Quote me anywhere: Ebonyi will never descend into darkness again. I have always stood firm in challenging the status quo when the time demands it. God blesses people because of their commitment to humanity, and I am blessed because of the land and people of Ebonyi.
“May the God of the land arise and fight for the liberation of Ebonyi State. I am not afraid of their gatherings or intimidated by what the future may bring. What I look forward to is the happiness and progress of Ebonyi State, and I believe that time is now,” Odii declared.