The 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Odii, has pledged to reduce the state’s dependence on allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), saying Ebonyi can become economically self-reliant by fully harnessing its agricultural and solid mineral resources.
Odii made the pledge during an interview in Lagos, where he unveiled his development agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The PDP flagbearer said successive administrations had failed to maximise the state’s economic potential because of their reliance on monthly federal allocations, despite Ebonyi’s vast arable land, mineral deposits and tourism assets.
He said his administration, if elected, would focus on accelerating economic reforms, empowering young people, promoting the creative industry and creating an enabling environment for private sector investments.
According to him, diversifying the state’s economy through agriculture, mining and tourism would stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and reduce poverty.
Odii said his government would prioritise commercial agriculture by developing integrated value chains across Ebonyi’s three senatorial zones, noting that different parts of the state have comparative advantages in crops such as rice, cassava and maize.
He added that processing agricultural produce within the state would encourage industrialisation, increase internally generated revenue and create sustainable jobs for residents.
The governorship hopeful also identified the solid minerals sector as another strategic area for economic expansion, promising to collaborate with the Federal Government to encourage mineral processing and refining.
According to him, developing the mining industry would help diversify Ebonyi’s economy while creating wealth and reducing unemployment.
Meanwhile, more than 5,000 members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), including the party’s Ebonyi State Deputy Chairman, Okechukwu Idenyi, and Secretary, Solomon Adum, have defected to the PDP.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Adum said the decision followed extensive consultations with supporters, claiming the NDC had lost its political relevance in the state due to a wave of defections..
He said the group joined the PDP because of its vision for democratic governance, unity and sustainable development.
“We pledge to work with the leadership of the PDP to strengthen the party’s grassroots support ahead of future political activities. We are committed to promoting peace, internal democracy and issue-based politics,” Adum said.
The defections come as political parties begin realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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