The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted comments by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali, on the state's governorship succession arrangement, insisting that political power belongs to the people and not to what it described as "political gatekeepers."
The opposition party accused the commissioner of attempting to predetermine future governorship occupants up to 2039 through zoning projections, describing the move as undemocratic and contrary to the principles of constitutional democracy.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abakaliki, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, said Ebonyians had not surrendered their constitutional right to freely choose their leaders through the ballot box.
According to him, the commissioner lacked the moral authority to dictate the state's political future, arguing that governance should be driven by performance, accountability and the will of the people rather than political arrangements crafted by a few individuals.
"The 2027 conversation must rise above fear, entitlement and political gatekeeping. It must be about performance. It must be about capacity. It must be about accountability. Most importantly, it must be about the sovereign will of Ebonyians," Onwe stated.
The PDP described Offia-Nwali as a "political astrologer," alleging that some of the politicians now championing zoning as an unquestionable doctrine were among those who opposed the emergence of former Governor David Umahi in the 2015 governorship election despite arguments that Ebonyi South had not previously produced a governor.
The party further alleged that Offia-Nwali had, at the time, supported the governorship ambition of Senator Obinna Ogba against the prevailing zoning campaign that favoured Ebonyi North.
The opposition party questioned what it called the selective application of zoning principles, asking whether the arrangement was abandoned when it became politically inconvenient and revived when it became politically advantageous.
Onwe maintained that what unsettles certain political actors in the state is not any perceived violation of zoning arrangements but the growing popularity of former governorship candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.
According to him, Odii's humanitarian interventions, empowerment programmes, private-sector accomplishments and development agenda have continued to attract support across the 13 local government areas of the state.
The PDP spokesman also dismissed claims of division within the party, insisting that the opposition remains united and focused on providing an alternative platform for Ebonyians.
"There is no faction in the PDP. We remain one formidable political family united by a common vision of a prosperous and inclusive Ebonyi State," he said.
The party further challenged Offia-Nwali to provide a comprehensive account of programmes and projects executed under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, particularly the hawkers' empowerment scheme announced by the state government in 2023.
It called on the commissioner to make public details of the programme, including the list of beneficiaries, implementation framework, disbursement records and monitoring reports, arguing that public office holders must be accountable for funds entrusted to them.
The PDP also demanded verifiable records of projects and interventions attributed to the ministry in the state government's recently released performance reports.
According to the opposition party,
Ebonyians deserve to know the actual economic impact of government programmes, including jobs created, businesses supported and measurable benefits delivered to citizens.
The party stressed that its demands were not politically motivated but were part of legitimate efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
"The issue before Ebonyians today is no longer who can write the longest open letter. It is who can present the most convincing record of service, accountability, economic management and measurable results," the statement added.
The PDP urged the commissioner to focus on rendering an account of his stewardship rather than engaging in what it described as speculative discussions about who should govern Ebonyi State in 2027 and beyond.
This version follows a straight-news format, presents the PDP's position clearly, and maintains professional journalistic tone and structure.
