2027: Odii 'll Never Step Down From Ebonyi Guber Race — Spokesman

The spokesperson to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has dismissed reports that the businessman and politician would withdraw from the 2027 governorship race and support Governor Francis Nwifuru.

Chief Emmanuel Chidi Igwe, spokesperson to Odii, popularly known as Anyichuks, said the PDP candidate remained committed to contesting the election, describing reports of his alleged withdrawal as false and unsupported by any statement from Odii.

In a statement on Monday, Igwe said: “Chief Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii will never, under any condition, step down from the 2027 governorship contest.”

According to him, Odii’s political camp had made its position clear that the candidate would contest the election and seek the mandate of Ebonyi people through the democratic process.

He said any political discussion, persuasion or negotiation involving other individuals should not be interpreted as a decision by Odii to abandon his ambition.

The spokesperson described the reported withdrawal as a narrative being promoted by persons opposed to Odii’s candidacy, challenging those behind the claim to produce evidence showing that the PDP candidate had agreed to withdraw.

Igwe also urged journalists and online publishers to distinguish between reports of attempts to persuade a candidate to withdraw and an actual decision by the candidate to do so.

“There is a fundamental difference between reporting that a politician intends to persuade Chief Odii to withdraw and reporting that Chief Odii has agreed to withdraw,” he said, adding that the latter required evidence from the candidate.

He called on the publishers of the report to retract or prominently correct the publication within 24 hours unless they could produce an authentic statement from Odii confirming his withdrawal.

Igwe further reminded journalists, bloggers and social-media publishers of their responsibilities under Nigerian law, including provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, as amended, and other laws relating to unlawful online publications and defamatory material.

He stressed that the warning was not intended as a threat against legitimate journalism or political criticism, but as a reminder that political disagreements should be conducted within the law.

Igwe reaffirmed that Odii’s position remained unchanged, saying the candidate would continue with his 2027 governorship ambition unless he personally announced otherwise.

He urged the people of Ebonyi State to regard reports of Odii’s withdrawal as unverified political assertions until an official statement from the candidate confirms such a decision.