2027: Ex-LG chairman urges Ebonyi governor to prioritise merit, warns against rewarding crisis actors 

Former chairman of Ohaukwu local government area, Timothy Odah, Monday, advised Ebonyi state governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to adopt a merit-based approach in shaping political outcomes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Odah, in an open letter to the governor, stated the need for careful evaluation of aspirants, particularly for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu federal constituency seat, urging that competence and verifiable records of grassroots empowerment should take precedence over personal alliances and incumbency advantage.

“Leadership is not a Father Christmas show,” he said, cautioning against the promotion of candidates without proven capacity to deliver.

The former council boss also raised concerns over the fragile peace in Effium, warning that allowing individuals allegedly linked to past communal unrest to contest elective positions could undermine ongoing reconciliation efforts.

He insisted that persons indicted by the state’s peace committee over the Effium crisis should not be given political platforms, noting that such a move would set a dangerous precedent and risk reigniting tensions in the troubled community.