The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State for 2027, Ifeanyi Odii, has pledged to reposition the state’s economy by reducing its dependence on monthly federal allocations and harnessing its vast agricultural and solid mineral resources to create jobs, tackle poverty and stimulate economic growth.

Speaking in Lagos during an interview on his development agenda, the candidate said Ebonyi possesses the natural endowments to become one of Nigeria’s leading economic hubs but has failed to maximise its potential because successive governments relied heavily on revenue from the Federation Account.

He said his manifesto is anchored on four key pillars: accelerated economic reforms, youth development, promotion of creative industries and creating an enabling environment for private sector-led investments.

According to him, the state’s abundant arable land, solid mineral deposits and tourism potential provide the foundation for building a diversified economy driven by enterprise rather than government spending.

The PDP standard-bearer said his administration would transform agriculture from subsistence farming to commercial agribusiness by developing integrated value chains across the state’s three senatorial zones.

He explained that while some parts of Ebonyi are suitable for cassava cultivation, others have comparative advantages in maize and rice production, stressing that processing agricultural produce locally would create industries, expand employment and boost internally generated revenue.

He also identified the solid minerals sector as another major growth driver, saying the state would collaborate with the Federal Government to encourage mineral processing and refining despite mining being on the Exclusive Legislative List.

According to him, developing the mining industry would diversify the economy, reduce unemployment and create sustainable wealth for residents.

MEANWHILE, the Deputy Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ebonyi State, Mr Okechukwu Idenyi, its Secretary, Solomon Adum, and over 5,000 members of the party in the state, at the weekend, defected to the PDP.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Adum said the decision followed extensive consultations with their supporters, saying that the party is dead in the state following the massive defections.

“Our decision was driven by our confidence in the PDP’s vision for democratic governance, unity, and sustainable development in the state,” Adum said.

“We pledge to work with the leadership of the PDP to expand the party’s grassroots support ahead of future political activities. We are committed to promoting peace, internal democracy, and issue-based politics,” he added.

ALSO, the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said  Bayelsans are poorer and hungrier than they were before the birth of the incumbent Governor Douye Diri’s administration, saying that its inability to name any clear wealth creation, employment generation and poverty alleviation programmes is an admission of failure.

While reacting through an online response after a statement by the State PDP Publicity Secretary, Ikaebimo Mark, was published, the PDP said that despite increased revenues accruing to the state through improved derivation and enhanced federal allocations, the living conditions of many citizens have worsened, with hunger and poverty becoming daily realities across communities in the state.

The state government had dismissed the claims by PDP that Diri’s administration has failed to address hunger and poverty, insisting it has implemented wide-ranging programmes and projects aimed at improving residents’ welfare over the past six years.

Responding to the opposition’s criticism in a statement on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, described the allegations as misleading, saying the administration had made significant investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment.