The Ebonyi State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over what it described as deepening poverty, deteriorating living standards, and widening economic hardship across the state, warning that both markets and households are increasingly under severe pressure.
The party made the assertion on Monday through its Media Centre while unveiling its First Quarter 2026 State of the State Assessment, based on findings from the Ebonyi Governance Impact and Poverty Status Survey (EGIPS Q1–2026), conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state.
According to the report made available to journalists in Abakaliki by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, the assessment drew from citizen engagements, community consultations, governance impact reviews, and field observations.
These, it said, collectively point to what the opposition described as a “disturbing reality” of economic decline despite rising government revenues.
The PDP stated that the findings reflect the voices of market women, unemployed graduates, farmers, and struggling households, many of whom are grappling with rising costs of living, unemployment, and declining purchasing power.
“The report is not merely a political document. It is a reflection of the growing anxieties, frustrations, and aspirations of the people of Ebonyi State,” the party stated.
It added that “a widening gulf now exists between official government narratives and the actual living conditions of ordinary Ebonyians,” alleging that economic hardship has become increasingly visible in both urban and rural communities.
The opposition party further expressed concern over what it described as rising manifestations of poverty, including street begging, child labour, and an increasing number of women and youths engaged in menial jobs for survival.
It also raised alarm over what it termed growing educational exclusion in the state, citing data from the 2025 National Out-of-School Children Survey, which it said indicated a worrying rise in the number of children outside formal education in Ebonyi State.
“Every child outside the classroom represents a future at risk, and every increase in educational exclusion reflects deeper economic and social failures,” the report stated.
The PDP questioned the absence of a clearly defined economic roadmap for industrialisation and job creation in the state, raising concerns about government development strategy.
Among the questions raised were the lack of industries capable of generating large-scale employment, the absence of measurable economic masterplans, and an apparent disconnect between public spending and welfare outcomes.
The party also alleged that public perception is increasingly shifting towards the view that governance in the state is driven more by “political optics and public relations exercises” than tangible economic impact.
It further argued that despite substantial monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and statutory funds to local governments, the impact on citizens’ welfare remains unclear.
The PDP asked: “Where is the corresponding impact? Why does poverty appear to be expanding despite increasing revenues? Why are unemployment figures worsening instead of improving?”
According to the party, these concerns reflect widespread citizen sentiment rather than partisan criticism, insisting that government must provide transparent and verifiable responses.
The opposition maintained that Ebonyi State possesses significant human and natural resources capable of driving transformation, but argued that the challenge lies in policy direction, leadership priorities, and governance focus.
It called for a shift from what it described as “slogan-driven governance” to measurable development outcomes, including industrial expansion, youth empowerment, agricultural modernisation, and private sector-driven growth.
“The time has come for government to move beyond rhetoric and embrace practical solutions,” the statement added.
The PDP maintained that history would judge any administration not by publicity or ceremonial activities, but by the extent to which citizens become more prosperous, educated, and economically secure.
