2027 Ebonyi Guber: Omebeh Urges Voters To Scrutinise Candidates’ Investments In The State
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Chief Ikeuwa Omebeh, has urged the people of Ebonyi State to carefully scrutinise the business interests, investments, properties and economic contributions of aspirants and candidates ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Omebeh made the call in a statement in which he argued that candidates seeking to govern Ebonyi should demonstrate a tangible commitment to the state through investments, enterprise development and other contributions to the local economy.
He likened supporting a governorship candidate with no investment in the state to “a man selling the land he inherited from his ancestors to pay for house rent in a city.”
Quoting an Igbo proverb, the commissioner said: “A man who sells the land he inherited from his ancestors to pay for house rent in a city certainly becomes homeless when his rent expires.”
According to Omebeh, patriotism goes beyond political participation and includes a commitment to the socioeconomic development and general welfare of the people.
He recalled the contributions of Ebonyi’s founding fathers, noting that the struggle for the creation of the state lasted nearly four decades and involved significant sacrifices in time, intellect and resources before the state was eventually created in 1996.
The commissioner also cited the records of past governors, including Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu, Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi and Engr. David Nweze Umahi, as examples of indigenous leaders who, according to him, contributed to the development of the state before and during their periods in office.
Omebeh particularly highlighted former Governor Umahi’s reported business investments in Abakaliki, including Brass Filling Station, Brass Construction Company and Osborne La Palm Hotel, describing such investments as examples of the “Aku Ruo Ulo” philosophy associated with Igbo enterprise.
He further praised the incumbent governor, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, whom he described as the fourth executive governor of Ebonyi State. Nwifuru assumed office on May 29, 2023, after previously serving as Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
According to Omebeh, Nwifuru’s experience in the legislature and his administration’s policies have promoted enterprise, investment and economic activity within the state. The commissioner said the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs places emphasis on addressing the needs of citizens and advancing development across the state.
Omebeh also commended the administration for what he described as efforts to attract and retain businesses and investments in Ebonyi, arguing that encouraging indigenous entrepreneurs to establish businesses within the state would create employment opportunities and strengthen the local economy.
On governance and political participation, the commissioner maintained that Ebonyi operates a multiparty democratic system and said the state government recognises the constitutional rights of opposition parties and citizens to participate in political activities.
He therefore called on Ebonyians to place what he described as the common interest and general welfare of the state above partisan considerations when assessing candidates for elective office.
“Go to where you invest and pay tax and contest,” Omebeh stated, urging wealthy Ebonyi entrepreneurs who seek political office to demonstrate their commitment to the state through tangible investments and economic participation.
He further warned against what he described as candidates who may seek to govern the state without having significant economic interests or investments within Ebonyi.
Omebeh concluded by urging voters to make the development and long-term economic interests of Ebonyi central to their assessment of candidates ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
