The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Odii, has dismissed claims that he intends to withdraw from the February 6, 2027 election in favour of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Odii insisted that he remained in the race, pledging to tackle hunger and poverty and improve governance if elected.
He spoke on Sunday during a meeting with journalists in his hometown of Isu, in the Onicha Local Government Area of the state.
The PDP candidate said the party had given him its ticket through a consensus arrangement, adding that he was determined to offer Ebonyi residents better governance.
He described the alleged pressure on him to step down, which he attributed to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, as political manoeuvring.
“My party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave me its mandate through consensus. That means they found me suitable, but there was a need for intervention. As such, I am contesting to be the governor of Ebonyi State because I have a lot to offer in government,” he said.
Odii maintained that he had not been asked by Umahi to withdraw and would not abandon the contest.
“As I said, I respect him, but I have not been asked by him to step down, and I don’t think he should ask me to step down. I am contesting, and I want to say that I am still in the race. I am not giving up,” he added.
He said his campaign would focus on improving the welfare of residents, creating employment opportunities and addressing economic hardship.
“We should be talking about certain things and the general interests of the people, the betterment of Ebonyi, not only for today but for tomorrow. Good governance is what we need. Everybody should be concerned about it,” he said.
Odii added that his campaign was reaching voters through door-to-door activities and social media engagement, claiming to have nearly three million followers across his platforms.
The PDP candidate also pledged to improve access to medical education and strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce, citing the migration of Nigerian medical professionals abroad as a major challenge.
He said shortages of qualified health workers had placed additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system, with consequences for maternal and child health and access to specialist care.
Odii said his ambition was to put Ebonyi on a path of progress, prosperity and sustainable development.
He urged registered voters in the state to support his candidacy, arguing that purposeful leadership and properly managed institutions were necessary to deliver meaningful development.
