2027: Ebonyi stakeholders urge Ex-PDP guber candidate, Odii to contest for governorship 

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

As the 2027 general election gathers momentum across Ebonyi State and beyond, many political parties and stakeholders have started projecting the interest and capabilities of different aspirants ahead of the election.

The Nations News reports that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ebonyi State still remains a strong, undisputable and reliable force to be reckoned with across the State. 

Investigation revealed that the Party has its members and structures deeply rooted in every nooks and crannies of the State, since the first civil rule in1999.

It will be catastrophic for any political party and its agents to think that the PDP is not prepared to wrestle power from the ruling APC come 2027 as

Ebonyi people have again began to passionately appeal to the PDP Governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, to come out and run for the governorship election in the State.

If he does comes out to run for the 2027 general election, he is going to dominate and establish a sweeping political dominance, considering his high political profile, Ebonyi people’s love for him and his usual audacity, to make lasting impression within the political arena of the State.

Recall that Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii’s journey into the political landscape, came as a shocker to many political gladiators in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and other political parties across Ebonyi State, Nigeria and in Diaspora.

Many are yet to completely recover from this shock, which reportedly ran through their political spines in 2023 as they are still unsure of the “tsunami” that waits them in the forthcoming 2027 general election.

Odii popularly known as Anyichuks took onlookers and those who had been in the game for years by storm as they were dazzled, thrilled and equally petrified by his political ingenuity, influence, affluence, dexterity and daring moves, which was felt in all the Wards, Local Government Areas, LGAs, and the State at large.

From discussions with key stakeholders in APC and Ebonyi State at large, it is believed that once be declares his intention to run for the position of the Governor of the State, the entire trajectory, long standing and existing political permutations, with regards to the 2027 governorship election will completely change abruptly.

It is important to note that his tornado-like dominance caused jittery in the camps of the All Progressives Congress, APC, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Labour Party, LP, during the 2023 general election and will still do same, to the camps of all the political parties prepared to participate for the 2027 general election in the State.

The mention of the name, Anyichuks for the 2027 governorship election will not only destabilise the political strategies of the ruling APC as a political Party but also give the Party sleepless nights to worry about the outcome of the election.

This gentle but calculative political giant with the quintessential competence, exposure and experience of a political juggernaut, has made reverberating impacts in the political landscape of Ebonyi State and he is ready to turn the fortune of the State around.

He is not a politician that can be hoodwinked, intimidated or frustrated by his political opponent, and following the antecedents of his political nature, principles and practices, it’s apparent  that this rare personality is a man of peace, wealth, courage, candor and charismatic ingenuity.

This true son of Ebonyi soil has over the years captured the love and admiration of over 90 percentage of Ebonyi people. His disposition to Charity towards Ebonyi people is real, natural and inborn as his vision is to see every Ebonyi man and woman live above the poverty level, irrespective of birth place, local government area and religion.

He knows that poverty doesn’t respect where one comes from and so, he decided to spread the dragnet of his empowerment programme across the three senatorial districts of the State. 

He didn’t make his empowerment scheme an Ebonyi South affair but an Ebonyi State agenda, because he believes that every Ebonyi person deserves the right to live and enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Unfortunately however, many Ebonyians are still caught in the web of poverty, political enslavement and injustice. These hydra-headed challenges are what he will holistically tackle as he takes over the helms of affairs of the State, with the collective decision of Ebonyi people.

Recall again, that during the 2023 general elections, there were avenues or situation that warranted him to deploy instruments of destabillization, chaos and destruction but he never did, as he chose the path of peace, knowing full well, that Ebonyi State and her people remain greater than the aspiration of any politician.

And because of this examplary disposition of his, one can place him in the ranks and likes of our Nationalists, who toed the path of peace, unity and justice, in the pursuit of their political ambition and greater Nigeria.

His message to every Ebonyian has always been that of unity, peaceful coexistence and justice, even as he emphasized its importance at every fora he finds himself. 

While the election results of 2023 general election may not have been what he had anticipated, he still believes that commitment to zero bloodshed, and non-violent electioneering campaigns and politicking remain a lasting formula and ingredient for good leadership and governance of the State.

Let me warn, that it is rather too early for anyone to go to bed with the mindset, that this PDP stalwart of immense political capacity, sagacity and initiative, may have forgotten about “Anyi Ga Emeya Movement” as the journey for a better and greater Ebonyi State, is still within the circumference of his political lens.

Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is one of the most distinguished personalities in Nigeria and diaspora, whose track record in the business world and the political hemisphere have remained unbeatable and unequalled by all standards, principles and judgement.

He entered the political landscape in order to bring into focus his love for humanity and improve the living standard of every Ebonyi man and woman.

Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is a distinguished businessman and philanthropist with over 23 years of experience in building and managing businesses across diverse sectors of the economy.

He is still resilient in his vision and agenda to transform Ebonyi State into a cynosure of all eyes but as that dream wasn’t actualized then, it will surely come to pass, God willing, during the 2027 general election, after he must have gone through the crucibles of political consultations.

Meanwhile, from political permutations, ongoing consultations and yearnings of Ebonyi people, it is now very clear that he is the only person that has all it takes to liberate Ebonyi State from the shackles of poverty, clannish politics and political myopism within the political landscape of the State.

As the Founder and Chairman of Orient Global Group, which encompasses subsidiaries such as Orient Global Manufacturing, Orient Haulage & Logistics, and Purity Agro-Allied Ltd, he impacted the business world with his ingenuity and capacity to make significant trademarks in that sector.

It is worthy to state, that he serves as the President and CEO of Ultimus Holdings, comprising subsidiaries like Ultimus Construction, Ultimus Development, and Ultimus Global Integrated (owners of The Classroom by Ultimus). 

With investment portfolios spanning manufacturing, shipping, logistics, construction, real estate, healthcare, trade, and services, Odii is a venture capitalist who has successfully expanded his businesses beyond Nigeria into Sub-Saharan Africa.

Odii is an alumnus of Lagos Business School, where he completed the Chief Executive Program, and holds a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the National Open University of Nigeria.

He was awarded a Doctor of Science degree in Strategic Business Management and Corporate Governance by the European American University, Republic of Panama.

Odii has served on the 11th Governing Council of Lagos State University and is currently serving on the 12th. 

He was also a member of the inaugural Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School, Anambra State. Over the years, he has honed his expertise in leadership, management, and business strategy.

Odii has received numerous awards for his contributions to business and philanthropy. In 2021, he was honoured with the Next Bull Award at the Nigerian Investors Value Awards (NIVA), organized by Business Day Newspaper and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. 

In 2022, Guardian Newspaper named him one of the top 50 CEOs contributing to Nigeria’s GDP growth in 2021,and Independent Newspaper recognized him as Philanthropist of the Year.

Through the Ebele and Anyichuks Foundation, which he founded with his wife, Odii has built over 150 homes for the underprivileged in rural communities in Izzi LGA and beyond, 9 churches, 1 traditional palace, and a three-story primary and secondary school complex. 

The foundation has provided scholarships to over 2,500 students both locally and internationally, facilitated annual medical screenings, and supported over 40,000 families with relief materials and food items, especially during the COVID-19 era.

It is on record that those he gave scholarship have acquired their Doctorate Degrees as they are now employed in various institutions of higher learning, professional bodies and Agencies of Government. This approach of his has given hope and pride to Ebonyi people and the State at large.

This philanthropist per excellence is turning the fortunes of numerous Ebonyi people around without being in corridors of power. It’s obvious that if such a person comes into power, through  the possibilities of the ballots, that the lives of Ebonyi people will surely undergo an irreversible phrase of human transformation. 

Also, over 1,000 farmers receive agricultural inputs from the foundation each year, while 3,000 entrepreneurs have benefited from grants and seed capital. 

Odii also founded the Anyichuks Unity Cup, an annual sports tournament in his hometown, aimed at inspiring youths and promoting grassroots sports development.

In addition to his professional achievements and philanthropic endeavours, Odii enjoys spending time with his family, reading, swimming, and golfing. 

He is a member of several prestigious golf clubs in Lagos and is passionate about maintaining a balanced and active lifestyle.

This rare gem is Ebonyi’s best brain, dignified political Amazon and business Mongul with a difference, that has brought unforgettable and unending shock waves into the spines of supposed political warlords, during the 2023 general election. 

As the build up to the 2027 general election is still causing lots of apprehension in many political camps in the State, many still believe that Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii’s eyes are still on the ball for the Governorship position of the State.

The issue of clannish politics cannot help to move the State forward. What we need to project in the forthcoming general election is competence, credibility, charisma, character, capabilities, and candour.  

These attributes lie within the characteristical framework and disposition of Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.

He who the cap fits, let him wear it. The 2027 Governorship cap fits appropriately on Anyichuks and he will wear it.