By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
The Ebonyi South Youths Assembly has challenged the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Professor Bernard Odoh, to publicly address questions surrounding his professorship and provide a comprehensive account of his public service record ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group said while every Nigerian has the constitutional right to seek elective office, aspirants must subject their records to public scrutiny to enable voters make informed choices based on verifiable achievements rather than political rhetoric.
The position of the Assembly was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abakaliki and signed by its National President, Comrade Odii Njoku.
The group noted that Odoh’s recent declaration of interest in the Ebonyi Central Senate seat had generated public discourse, stressing that the electorate deserved to evaluate all aspirants on the basis of competence, integrity, performance and measurable contributions to society.
According to the statement, the incumbent senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Senator Ken Eze, has built a record in office that is open to public assessment.
It stated that reports of employment opportunities facilitated for constituents, constituency development projects, youth empowerment initiatives and legislative interventions undertaken by the senator within his first three years in office were verifiable and should form part of the basis upon which the electorate would assess his performance.
The Assembly, however, urged Professor Odoh to equally present his credentials and stewardship to the people.
“We respectfully urge Professor Odoh, having publicly projected himself as the most suitable candidate for the office, to present to the people a comprehensive account of his achievements and antecedents.
“As a former university lecturer and former Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, the public deserves to know the measurable impact he made in those positions, the policies and initiatives he championed, his contributions to the development of Ebonyi State and the personal credentials that distinguish him as the preferred choice of the electorate,” the statement read.
The youth group further called on the former Secretary to the State Government to address issues surrounding his professorship, which it claimed affected his quest to become Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
“Professor Odoh should also explain to the public the issues surrounding his professorship, which reportedly affected his bid for the office of Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka,” the statement added.
The Assembly also urged the NDC chieftain to clearly outline his legislative agenda and explain how his aspiration aligns with the vision of his party and its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
“As a prominent supporter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, Professor Odoh owes the electorate a clear explanation of the political, developmental and legislative agenda he intends to pursue, including how his candidacy would complement and strengthen the party’s national vision,” the group stated.
It maintained that democratic contests should be decided by verifiable records of service, competence and credibility rather than political slogans.
“We believe that democratic contests are won not by lofty declarations or political rhetoric but by demonstrable records of service, competence, credibility and the ability to inspire public confidence. The electorate deserves facts rather than assumptions, evidence rather than slogans and performance rather than promises,” it said.
The Assembly further appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct campaigns peacefully and embrace issue-based politics, warning against statements capable of inflaming political tensions or undermining the prevailing peace and stability in Ebonyi State.
It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible leadership, transparency, accountability and constructive democratic engagement in the interest of Ebonyi State and Nigeria.
