The Ebonyi South Youths Assembly (ESYA) has urged eligible voters in Onicha, Ohaozara and Ivo (OHANIVO) Federal Constituency to critically assess the character, political consistency and track record of aspirants seeking elective office ahead of the 2027 general elections, while questioning the political decisions of the immediate past Ebonyi State Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Felix Igboke.
The group made its position known to journalists in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Odii Njoku, in Abakaliki on Wednesday.
In the statement, ESYA reacted to Igboke's reported defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he is reportedly seeking the party's ticket for the House of Representatives seat representing Onicha, Ohaozara and Ivo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
The youth group said the latest political development had raised questions about what it described as the former commissioner's political consistency, urging PDP members and the electorate to carefully scrutinise every aspirant before making their choices.
According to the group, "The electorate deserves an explanation from Mr. Felix Igboke regarding the reasons behind his latest political realignment. In 2023, he contested for the House of Representatives under the platform of the APC after leaving the governorship campaign of Chief Chukwuma Ifeanyi Odii, who was then the PDP governorship candidate. Despite that opportunity, he was unsuccessful at the polls."
It added that Igboke's return to the PDP after contesting under the APC had made it necessary for party members and voters to evaluate the principles guiding politicians seeking public office.
"Today, Mr. Igboke has left the same APC that provided him the platform to contest in 2023 and has returned to the PDP, where Chief Chukwuma Ifeanyi Odii remains the party's leading governorship figure.
"As concerned stakeholders, we believe party members and supporters are entitled to understand the political principles informing these decisions," the statement read.
The Assembly maintained that political ambition should be driven by consistency, conviction and commitment to public service rather than frequent movement across political parties.
It argued that the people of Onicha, Ohaozara and Ivo Federal Constituency deserved representatives whose loyalty to a political platform was founded on ideology, integrity and service to the electorate.
"We therefore call on PDP members and indeed the people of OHANIVO Federal Constituency to carefully assess every aspirant on the basis of integrity, loyalty, track record and commitment to the party's collective objectives. Political support should be earned through credibility and sustained service to the people," the statement added.
The group also urged all political actors to conduct their activities in ways that would strengthen internal democracy, promote peaceful political engagement and foster unity within their respective political parties.
It expressed confidence that voters would make informed decisions during the 2027 elections based on the performance, credibility and consistency of those seeking elective positions.
"The people of Onicha, Ohaozara and Ivo Federal Constituency have consistently demonstrated political maturity. We believe they will once again evaluate all aspirants based on their integrity, credibility, consistency and commitment to the public interest before casting their votes," ESYA stated.
The Assembly reiterated its commitment to promoting issue-based politics, democratic accountability and responsible leadership in Ebonyi State.
All efforts to reach Igboke to get his reaction proved abortive as his telephone number was repeatedly not reachable as of the time of filing this report.
