EBONYI PDP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE REJECTS PRESSURE TO WITHDRAW FROM 2027 RACE

By NaijaParrot October 11, 2026 

 ABAKALIKI, EBONYI STATE 

— Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii has reaffirmed his commitment to contesting the 2027 Ebonyi State governorship election, dismissing speculation that he could step aside in favour of incumbent Governor Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Odii’s position follows comments by Minister of Works and former Ebonyi governor, David Umahi, who said he intended to approach Odii and persuade him to withdraw from the race in support of Nwifuru.

Speaking to journalists in his hometown of Isu, in Onicha Local Government Area, Odii said he remained determined to contest the election, stressing that his party had given him its mandate. He argued that his decision to contest should not be dictated by political relationships or pressure from influential individuals. Odii also said he wanted to address hunger and poverty in the state, presenting his ambition as an opportunity to offer what he described as better governance to Ebonyians. 

 Umahi had said he would personally approach Odii, whom he described as his cousin, to discuss stepping down for Nwifuru. The former governor linked his position to the issue of political zoning in Ebonyi, arguing that the state’s southern senatorial district should wait before seeking the governorship again, following Umahi’s own tenure from 2015 to 2023. Both Umahi and Nwifuru belong to the APC, while Odii is the PDP’s governorship candidate. 

 Odii’s camp has maintained that political decisions should remain separate from family relationships. His spokesperson, Emmanuel Igwe, previously said the PDP candidate would not step down for anyone, arguing that the governorship election should be decided by voters rather than private arrangements among political figures. The spokesperson also urged the media to distinguish between a politician expressing an intention to persuade a candidate to withdraw and the candidate actually agreeing to do so. 

 The disagreement highlights growing political activity in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the APC seeking to retain the seat under Nwifuru and the PDP preparing to challenge the incumbent. While zoning and political alliances remain part of the discussion, candidates from different parties are positioning themselves to present their programmes to the electorate. Odii’s latest remarks indicate that he intends to continue his campaign. The final outcome, however, will be determined by the electoral process and the votes cast by eligible voters. 

 NaijaParrot will continue to follow verified developments in the Ebonyi governorship race ahead of the 2027 elections. 

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