Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the people of Ebonyi State and Nigeria at large to use the occasion of the Independent Day celebrations to reflect on the journey so far as way of spurring action for the future.
Chief Odii in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Wednesday in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations stated that, “This is more than a day of celebration. It is a day of deep reflection. Our journey as a nation and as a people has not been without trials. We have felt the sting of poverty, the gaps of leadership, and the weight of economic hardship. Yet, through it all, the resilient Nigerian spirit, and especially the Ebonyi spirit, has never been broken.”
The Ebonyi State PDP while affirming his strong belief in the ability of Ebonyi State and Nigeria to grow to greatness said that he remained committed to a progressive and economically viable society.
He said, “I speak to you not as a distant politician, but as one of you, your brother, your son, and your partner in progress who knows the sacrifices you make every single day. I know the pains of our farmers who are limited in one way or the other from effectively maximising our rich arable lands, the struggles of our youths searching for jobs that don’t exist; the pains of the sick whose access to quality healthcare is denied, the dashed hopes of our children deprived of quality education, and the despair of families hoping for tomorrow to be better than today. And I tell you this: Ebonyi deserves more, and Ebonyi will rise.
Chief Odii called on the people to remain focused on their quest for a better, functional and progressive society, urging them to ignore politician who seek enthrone a one-party state reiterating that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees a multi-party system.
“Independence is not just a mark of self-determination from alien rule, but also freedom from the past and the courage to reclaim the past for a brighter future. I’m deeply convinced that together, we can build communities of dignity, transform our resources into prosperity, and restore pride to every home. The wealth of Ebonyi belongs to Ebonyians, and under the right leadership, it will serve you. Ignore the rhetorics of savagely scavenging politicians who sweet mouth you in fear of opposition. The choice is exclusively yours, and at the right time, you will all make the life changing decisions wisely.,” the statement read in part.
