From Rita Nworie, Abakaliki
The New Nigeria People’s Party in Ebonyi State has endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, for the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was announced in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, when the state Chairman of the NNPP, Chief Ifeanyi Ojeogu, led leaders and members of the party to declare their support for Odii.
Ojeogu said the NNPP had its own governorship candidate but decided to adopt Odii because of his pedigree, capacity and contributions to the development and welfare of people across the state.
He stressed that the decision did not amount to the dissolution or collapse of the NNPP into the PDP, saying the party remained independent despite its support for the PDP candidate.
According to him, “We are not collapsing into PDP. When you see something good in your neighbour’s home and you need that thing, you have to go close to that person; either you beg him for the thing or you support him to get it.
“This is exactly what we have done by endorsing Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the PDP governorship candidate. As far as the 2027 governorship election is concerned, we, the NNPP, have resolved and adopted Ifeanyi Odii.”
The NNPP chairman said the party took what he described as a bold decision after considering the capacity and political strength Odii demonstrated during the 2023 general election.
Responding on behalf of Odii, the Youth President of his support group, Mark Onu, assured NNPP members that they would receive equal treatment and recognition in the movement to elect the PDP candidate governor in 2027.
Onu urged opposition members not to be discouraged by alleged threats and intimidation, saying the PDP would pursue all lawful means to protect its members and supporters while working to win the next governorship election.
“There is nothing you can do on earth to silence a courageous man because, for you to be courageous, you must be determined. We are determined to recover Ebonyi State. We are determined to work hard to make sure that Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii becomes the governor of Ebonyi State in 2027,” Onu declared.
