The Ebonyi South Youths Assembly has challenged a former Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, Professor Ifeanyi Bernard Odoh, to present a comprehensive account of his contributions to the development of Ezza Nation and Ebonyi State as he seeks to represent Ebonyi Central Senatorial District in the Senate in the 2027 general elections.
The group said while every qualified Nigerian has the constitutional right to seek elective office, those aspiring to occupy public positions must subject their records of public service to scrutiny and allow the electorate to make informed choices based on verifiable achievements rather than political rhetoric.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abakaliki and signed by its National President, Comrade Odii Njoku, the Assembly said the people of Ebonyi Central deserved an objective assessment of all aspirants based on competence, integrity, performance and measurable contributions to public service.
The group maintained that the incumbent senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Senator Ken Eze, had established a record that could be independently verified by the electorate.
According to the statement, "Reports of employment opportunities facilitated for constituents, constituency development projects, youth empowerment initiatives and legislative interventions undertaken within the first three years of Senator Ken Eze's tenure are matters that can be independently verified and objectively assessed by the electorate."
The youths urged Professor Odoh to equally make public his scorecard as a former university lecturer and former Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government.
"We respectfully urge Professor Odoh, having publicly projected himself as the most suitable candidate for the office, to present to the people a comprehensive account of his achievements and antecedents.
"The people deserve to know the measurable impact he made as a university lecturer and as Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, the policies and programmes he championed, his contributions to the development of Ebonyi State and, indeed, Ezza Nation, as well as the credentials that distinguish him as the preferred choice of the electorate," the statement said.
The Assembly also called on the former SSG to address issues surrounding his academic career, including circumstances relating to his professorship and his unsuccessful bid for the office of Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
It further urged Odoh, a supporter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to clearly articulate his legislative and developmental agenda for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District.
"As a prominent supporter of the NDC and its presidential candidate, Professor Odoh owes the electorate a clear explanation of the political, developmental and legislative agenda he intends to pursue and how his candidacy would complement and strengthen his party's national vision," the group stated.
The Assembly stressed that democratic contests should be decided by verifiable records of service, competence and credibility rather than lofty declarations.
"We believe that democratic contests are won not by lofty declarations or political rhetoric but by demonstrable records of service, competence, credibility and the ability to inspire public confidence. The electorate deserves facts rather than assumptions, evidence rather than slogans and performance rather than promises," it added.
The group also appealed to political parties, aspirants and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and embrace issue-based engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
It warned against statements capable of inflaming political tensions or undermining the peace and stability currently enjoyed in Ebonyi State, reaffirming its commitment to promoting responsible leadership, transparency, accountability and constructive democratic participation.
