The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has urged voters to assess candidates in the 2027 governorship election based on their records, policy proposals and capacity to deliver, rather than campaign rhetoric.
The party made the call at a stakeholders’ dialogue organised by the Centre for Media and Dialogue Initiative (CMDI) in Abakaliki, with the theme, “Beyond the Manifesto: Ebonyi 2027 Election and the People’s Interrogation of Next Leadership.”
The forum brought together representatives of political parties, journalists and electoral stakeholders to discuss governance priorities and the expectations of the electorate ahead of the 2027 election.
The Programme Director of CMDI, Eze Chikodiri Igwe, said the engagement was designed to provide a platform for political parties and candidates to explain their programmes and respond to questions on issues affecting the state.
Igwe said the initiative was not intended to endorse any candidate or political party, but to encourage issue-based political discourse and greater accountability.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel in the state, Comrade Uchenna Inya, said the media would continue to seek specific commitments from political actors on key areas, including healthcare, agriculture, security and the economy.
He said journalists had a responsibility to interrogate campaign claims and provide voters with information necessary for informed electoral choices.
Representing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs Esther Idam advised eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and verify information before sharing it, while cautioning against participation in electoral violence.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was absent from the engagement, while representatives of the PDP, Labour Party and African Democratic Congress (ADC) participated in the discussions.
Speaking on behalf of the PDP leadership, the party’s Publicity Secretary said the party was prepared to have its record of governance subjected to public scrutiny.
He cited the administrations of former governors Sam Egwu, Martin Elechi and Dave Umahi, highlighting their respective interventions in education, infrastructure, urban development and rural roads.
“Ebonyi people have seen what the PDP can build, and they know what they are entitled to expect,” he said.
The PDP spokesman, however, acknowledged that the 2027 contest would require candidates to present specific programmes capable of addressing contemporary challenges facing the state.
He said the party’s governorship candidate, Amb. Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, would present his proposals around industrialisation, economic diversification and development across key sectors.
The party also criticised aspects of the performance of the incumbent administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, alleging delays in some projects and a gap between budgetary announcements and implementation.
Those claims were made in the context of the opposition party’s assessment of the administration and were not independently established at the forum.
The absence of the APC meant that its representatives did not respond to the issues raised against the administration at the event.
Participants at the dialogue subsequently called for greater emphasis on policy issues, accountability and measurable commitments as political parties prepare for the 2027 governorship election.
The stakeholders also urged voters to scrutinise the records and proposals of all candidates before making their electoral choices.
