The Ebonyi South Youths Assembly (ESYA) has criticised the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Splendour Oko-Eze, over his remarks suggesting that Ebonyi residents remain impoverished despite the state’s vast mineral wealth.
Oko-Eze had questioned the state’s economic situation in a Facebook post titled “Is Ebonyi State Really a Poor State?”, arguing that the abundance of solid minerals should have translated into greater prosperity and accusing the government of failing to maximise the sector’s potential.
Reacting on Tuesday, the youth group described the comments as misleading, insisting they reflected a misunderstanding of Nigeria’s constitutional framework governing mineral resources.
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Odii Njoku, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, ESYA said it initially intended to ignore the publication because of what it described as its political undertone. However, the group said it decided to respond to prevent the public from being misled.
According to the Assembly, while citizens have every right to criticise government policies, such criticism should be based on facts, constitutional provisions and a proper understanding of governance rather than political rhetoric.
The group explained that under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, ownership, regulation and licensing of solid mineral resources fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
It stressed that state governors have no constitutional authority to issue mining licences or independently exploit mineral resources, arguing that blaming Governor Francis Nwifuru for matters controlled by the Federal Government is legally unfounded.
ESYA maintained that the Ebonyi State Government has instead focused on collaborating with federal authorities, licensed mining firms and regulatory agencies to ensure mining host communities benefit from mineral exploration activities.
The Assembly said the Nwifuru administration has prioritised the enforcement of Community Development Agreements (CDAs), environmental compliance and compensation for affected landowners instead of engaging in political debates.
The group also highlighted achievements recorded in the mining sector, citing disclosures by the immediate past Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Emmanuel Onyia, that over ₦5 billion had been secured through Community Development Agreements and compensation packages for mining host communities across Ebonyi State.
According to the statement, the funds include more than ₦4 billion in Community Development Agreements, over ₦500 million in compensation for landowners in Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, and additional payments to other affected communities before mining operations commenced.
ESYA further stated that mining-related interventions have provided scholarships for more than 1,000 students from host communities while supporting the construction of roads, healthcare centres, classroom blocks, laboratories, electricity projects and potable water schemes.
The Assembly also credited the state government with strengthening the protection of host community rights, improving transparency in the mining industry and introducing reforms to enhance environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance.
Among the reforms listed were statewide inspections of mining and quarry sites, compulsory reclamation of abandoned mining pits, stricter enforcement of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements, measures to curb revenue leakages, improved workers’ welfare and tighter monitoring to prevent the illegal transportation of mineral resources.
The youth group argued that the presence of mineral deposits alone does not automatically guarantee economic prosperity, noting that sustainable development depends on constitutional compliance, strategic partnerships, infrastructure investment and sound economic planning.
It added that these objectives are being pursued through Governor Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
While acknowledging the importance of opposition voices in a democratic system, the Assembly urged political actors to offer constructive, evidence-based criticism rather than spreading what it described as constitutional inaccuracies.
The group also advised Oko-Eze to familiarise himself with the provisions of the Constitution and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act before making public comments on issues relating to Nigeria’s mining sector.
Reaffirming its commitment to responsible public engagement, ESYA said it would continue to support initiatives that promote peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity in Ebonyi State.
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