The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ebonyi North Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, Dr. Sunday Andrew Opoke said that he decided to contest the senatorial position for Ebonyi North because he wants to contribute in building future, and better Nigerian.

He added that another reason for his decision to run for the position was mounting  demand for him from his People to go to the senate to give effective representation to the people thereby bringing government closer to his senatorial zone.

Opoke state these on Wednesday during an interactive session with youths from the four local government areas of Ebonyi North Senatorial District held in Abakaliki, he unveiled a grassroots development blueprint anchored on community wealth creation, human capital development and youth empowerment, pledging to champion a bottom-up governance model if elected.

The position is being occupy by Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi who is also the All Progressive Congress APC candidate

He lamented that Nigeria is at cross roads and those who should be sent to the National Assembly should be men of substance and requite maturity and experience.

“People who will stand for truth, who will lobby to get something for their people, because Nigeria is a country where you have to fight and struggle for your people, if you don’t struggle for your people others will take your people’s share. And that is why I have accepted to go and represent all of you” Opoke noted.

PDP standard-bearer said Ebonyi North possesses enormous natural and human resources capable of transforming the district into an industrial and economic hub if properly harnessed.

According to him, governance should begin with identifying and developing the comparative advantages of every community rather than imposing projects that do not reflect the people’s priorities.

“What we want is what I call bottom-top governance, where the people identify their challenges and priorities, not leaders deciding for them. Every community has resources that can be developed to create wealth and employment,” Opoke said.

He explained that rivers across the district could be harnessed for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation to support agriculture, while the abundant deposits of silica, lead and zinc could attract investments in glass, battery, electronics and roofing sheet manufacturing.

“If we develop these resources and establish industries around them, our youths will become employers of labour instead of job seekers. There is no reason Ebonyi North should remain poor when God has blessed us with abundant natural resources,” he added.

The PDP candidate also advocated the revival of indigenous innovation, describing “native intelligence” as a critical tool for solving local problems and accelerating development.

He cited the ingenuity displayed during the Nigerian Civil War, particularly the development of the locally fabricated Ogbunigwe, as evidence that Nigerians possess the capacity to innovate when adequately supported.

“Our people have natural wisdom and talents. Government must identify, nurture and develop those gifts because every individual was created to solve a problem. Once people discover their purpose and skills, poverty will naturally disappear,” he said.

Opoke further urged young people to embrace vocational skills, technology and entrepreneurship, arguing that the global economy had shifted from certificate-based employment to skill-driven productivity.

“Government cannot employ everybody, but it can create an enabling environment for everyone to succeed. My vision is to produce job creators, not job seekers. Every graduate should possess an employable skill,” he stated.

Earlier, the National Executive President of the Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO), Comrade Okorie C. Okorie, commended Opoke for setting aside time to engage directly with young people, describing the interaction as a demonstration of purposeful leadership.

He said the programme, held within the period marking International Youth Week activities, reflected Opoke’s commitment to understanding the needs of the people he seeks to represent.

“He has shown that he is prepared to serve. Leadership should be based on competence and credibility, not sentiment. I urge the youths of Ebonyi North to support leaders with the capacity to deliver effective representation,” Okorie said.

He also appealed to youths to shun violence during the electioneering period and allow the democratic process to prevail.

In separate goodwill messages, Barr. Chinedu Adum, Jeremiah Ofoke and other stakeholders praised Opoke’s development agenda, describing it as practical and capable of unlocking the economic potential of Ebonyi North.

They pledged unwavering support for his senatorial ambition and urged residents to also support PDP candidates in the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the party’s programmes would accelerate socio-economic development across the district.

The highlight of the event was the formal endorsement of Dr. Opoke by the youths of Ebonyi North, who declared him their preferred, most credible and saleable candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.