Professor of Geophysics and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District in the 2027 election, Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, has warned that candidate imposition, vote-buying and financial inducement pose serious threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
Odoh, a former Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government and a major contender in the 2023 Ebonyi governorship election, spoke on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, internal party elections, political violence and his agenda for Ebonyi Central in an interview with The Guardian.
He also advocated continued national discussion on the possibility of a part-time legislature, saying any decision on the matter must be based on constitutional dialogue, broad consultation and the need to reduce the cost of governance.
Speaking on why he did not immediately respond to controversies surrounding his emergence as the NDC senatorial candidate for Ebonyi Central, Odoh said his silence was deliberate.
He explained that his priority after the party primary was to consult with political stakeholders, community leaders and grassroots organisations while developing a legislative agenda for Ebonyi Central.
According to him, politics should be viewed as a responsibility and a pathway to public service rather than a competition to make the loudest noise.
Odoh said his experience in the private sector, particularly in helping African businesses access international markets through technology-driven trade infrastructure, had strengthened his belief that government should create an enabling environment for enterprise, innovation and wealth creation.
He added that effective leadership begins with listening to citizens and understanding their needs before making policy decisions on their behalf.
Reflecting on the NDC National Assembly primary, which attracted several prominent aspirants, Odoh described the contest as highly competitive but ultimately beneficial to the party.
He said the delegates considered the records, vision and capacity of the various aspirants before making their choice.
For Odoh, the outcome demonstrated that integrity, consistency and credibility can still play an important role in Nigerian politics.
He said the conclusion of the primary brought the various aspirants together as members of one political family with a shared responsibility to provide credible leadership.
He maintained that democracy becomes stronger when political competition eventually gives way to unity and a common purpose.
Odoh identified candidate imposition and financial influence as some of the major problems affecting Nigeria’s political system.
He said his confidence in internal party democracy was strengthened by the outcome of the NDC primary, despite what he described as pressure aimed at undermining a competitive process.
The Ebonyi Central senatorial candidate commended the NDC leadership for allowing the democratic process to take its course, urging political leaders across Nigeria to place the will of party members and voters above financial considerations.
He argued that democracy cannot thrive when money determines who emerges as a candidate instead of the preferences of the people.
On his proposed alternative to the incumbent senator’s representation, Odoh said his campaign would focus on ideas, policies and measurable results rather than personal attacks.
He promised to establish a functional constituency office that would remain accessible to residents throughout his tenure if elected.
He also pledged to publish annual stewardship reports covering constituency projects, legislative activities, oversight responsibilities and the use of public resources.
According to him, elected representatives must be accountable to the people who gave them their mandate.
Odoh said his legislative priorities would include education, youth employment, industrialisation, agriculture, technology, healthcare, infrastructure and entrepreneurship.
He stressed that effective representation should be accessible, measurable and accountable.
Asked whether his candidacy and that of APC’s Senator Kenneth Eze should be regarded as an underdog-versus-giant contest, Odoh said he was more interested in earning the confidence of voters than engaging in political propaganda.
He pointed to his previous public service record, including his tenure as Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government.
Odoh recalled that he eventually resigned from government after reaching a point where he could no longer align with the administration’s policy direction.
He said he returned government property in his possession, including his officially assigned vehicle, and left public office with his integrity intact.
The former SSG said he remained grateful for the opportunity to serve Ebonyi State and harboured no bitterness toward his former principal or political opponents.
He described integrity, competence, accountability and service as the values that have shaped his political journey.
Odoh clarified that his call for inclusive governance in Ebonyi Central was a policy proposition rather than an attack on the current administration.
He said governance should provide opportunities for people regardless of their political affiliations or connections.
According to him, women should have meaningful participation in governance, while persons living with disabilities should receive equal consideration.
He also called for traditional rulers, professionals, religious leaders and community organisations to be incorporated into the development process.
He maintained that leadership should unite citizens and transform diversity into an advantage for development.
Reacting to claims attributed to an APC member regarding a private conversation from 2020, Odoh said he had consistently maintained integrity in his public and private engagements.
He dismissed what he described as political distractions and said his priority remained the future of Ebonyi Central.
He argued that facts and truth should not be sacrificed for political narratives, particularly when matters of public interest are involved.
Odoh also expressed concern over reports of alleged attacks, intimidation and harassment involving opposition politicians and supporters in Ebonyi State.
He said there had been reports of attacks on some NDC members and supporters by individuals believed to be associated with the ruling APC.
According to him, political violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society.
He called on political parties, security agencies and relevant authorities to guarantee equal protection for all political actors ahead of the 2027 elections.
Odoh urged his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that political parties should regard one another as competitors rather than enemies.
He said Ebonyi State needs an electoral environment based on civility, mutual respect and democratic values.
On the growing debate over a part-time legislature in Nigeria, Odoh said the country should continue discussing the issue objectively.
He argued that Nigeria must consistently examine ways to improve governance while reducing the cost of running government.
However, he said the decision to adopt a part-time legislature should emerge from a comprehensive constitutional review, broad national dialogue and consensus.
Odoh called for a National Assembly capable of strengthening legislative oversight, protecting its independence and delivering effective representation.
He said whatever structure Nigeria eventually adopts must ultimately provide better governance and greater value for citizens.
Commenting on criticisms of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru over alleged underperformance, project inconsistencies and alleged mispricing, Odoh said the governor still had time to complete his first term.
He maintained that Ebonyi residents would ultimately determine how the administration performed.
Rather than assigning a score to the government, Odoh called for constructive criticism and engagement, noting that accountability is essential to improving governance.
He said that if elected senator, he would collaborate with the state government where necessary while maintaining effective legislative oversight and prioritising the interests of Ebonyi citizens.
Odoh described the 2023 Ebonyi governorship election as one of the most significant periods of his political career.
He contested the election under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which he said had limited political structures and electoral presence in Ebonyi State before the election.
According to him, he and thousands of supporters built a political movement that gained significant attention across the state.
He said the movement performed particularly strongly in Ebonyi Central and eventually produced a member of the House of Representatives and a member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly on the APGA platform.
However, Odoh described the campaign period as one of the most difficult experiences of his life.
He alleged that there were several attempts on his life during the campaign and said some of his aides and supporters lost their lives.
Odoh said the incidents strengthened his conviction that political competition must never be allowed to become a justification for violence.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, Odoh called on political parties, candidates, security agencies and citizens to work together to ensure peaceful and credible elections.
He said voters should be able to exercise their constitutional rights without fear, intimidation or financial inducement.
The NDC candidate urged Ebonyi voters to prioritise competence, integrity, accountability and unity when choosing their representatives.
He said his ambition for Ebonyi Central is anchored on accessible leadership, inclusive governance, accountable representation and sustainable economic development.
Odoh concluded that the future of Ebonyi State belongs to all its citizens and that every election provides an opportunity for the people to influence the direction of the state and the future of generations to come.
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