JUST IN: Ebonyi PDP governorship candidate says leadership must prioritise people, not intimidation

Politics

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State for the 2027 election has said leadership should be defined by compassion, sacrifice and service to the people rather than intimidation, threats, hate speech or violence.

The candidate, Chief Executive Officer of Orient Group and President of Ultimus Holdings, who is campaigning under the slogan “ANYI GA EMEYA”, made the remarks in a statement he personally issued on Saturday titled, “Answering the Call to Serve My People.”

He said a leader should be judged by the lives touched, difficult decisions made and opportunities created to make the people happier, safer and more prosperous.

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“Leadership should never be about the number of people you can intimidate, attack or harm. It should never be about hate speech, threats, provocation or inciting violence.

“True leadership is about compassion, genuine sacrifice and the courage to put your people before yourself.

“A leader is remembered not by the power he wielded, but by the lives he touched, the difficult decisions he made and the opportunities he created to make his people happier, safer and more prosperous,” he said.

Candidate recounts decision to abandon resort project to build houses for the poor

The PDP candidate said his commitment to people-centred leadership was reflected in a personal experience dating back to 2020, when he acquired several hectares of land in his hometown, Isu Achara, to build a private resort.

According to him, contractors, engineers and equipment had already been mobilised and work had commenced when he took a walk around the area and observed the difficult living conditions of many residents.

He said about 95 per cent of his neighbours were living in extremely difficult conditions, with some residing in mud houses with thatched roofs.

“I asked myself: What is the value of building a beautiful private resort when the people around me do not have decent homes to live in?

“I made a decision.

“I immediately stopped and demobilised the resort project and redirected the resources towards providing decent homes for people in the community,” he said.

He said the decision resulted in the construction and completion of more than 35 houses in Isu Achara and over 113 houses across other communities in Ebonyi State.

“For me, that is leadership.

“It is about seeing a need and responding.

“It is about sacrificing personal comfort for the welfare of others.

“It is about using what you have to improve the lives of people around you,” he said.

Candidate highlights education initiative

The candidate also said children from the affected communities had been provided access to education through initiatives under his foundation, including Ebele and Anyichuks Model Secondary School.

He described the school as a two-storey facility comprising six classrooms, ICT facilities and a laboratory.

According to him, the school was completed and commissioned in 2018 by the then Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, who attended the commissioning with members of his Executive Council and the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

“These are not merely political promises.

“They are examples of what we have already done,” he said.

‘Ebonyi must come first’

The PDP candidate said his decision to contest the governorship election was guided by what he described as a commitment to put the interests of Ebonyi State above personal or political considerations.

“As I answer the call to serve my people, I am guided by one principle:

“Ebonyi must come first.

“Not me.

“Not any individual.

“Not any political party.

“EBONYI FIRST.”

He said the people of the state deserved leadership that would bring hope, opportunity, security, dignity and prosperity.

“Leadership should unite us, not divide us.

“It should build homes, schools, businesses and communities—not fear and hatred,” he said.

The candidate expressed optimism that a “New Ebonyi” could be built where children, youths, women, farmers, workers, pensioners, senior citizens and vulnerable people would have genuine opportunities to improve their lives.

“ANYI GA EMEYA.

“There is hope.

“There is possibility.

“And together, we can do it better,” he said.