From Chinedu Nwafor,Abakaliki
Ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Kojos Ekechi, has called on the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), High Chief Ifeanyichukwu Odii, popularly known as AnyiChuks, to withdraw from the 2027 governorship race.
Ekechi, a member of the Governing Council, Federal College of Education (Technical), Keana, Nasarawa State, made the call in an open letter addressed to Odii, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki on Sunday.
In the letter titled ‘Open letter to High Chief Ifeanyichukwu Odii (AnyiChuks),’ Ekechi, who is the Coordinator of the Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO), South East Zone, said he was writing as a brother, stakeholder in the Ebonyi project, and friend who holds Odii’s capacity and philanthropy in high esteem.
While commending Odii for his bravery and outing in the 2023 governorship election, Ekechi said he was worried about his renewed interest ahead of 2027.
According to him, the political terrain ahead of 2027 is different from 2023, as the ruling APC under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has consolidated its structure across the 171 wards and 13 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.
“The structure has shifted, as the ruling party in the state under the able leadership of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has consolidated its hold across the 171 wards and 13 LGAs in Ebonyi State. Therefore, to confront that structure head-on again with the incumbent governor strongly on ground will require triple the resources and energy of 2023, yet you will not win, certainly,” the letter read in part.
Ekechi also cited zoning dynamics, the current structure of the PDP, and the resolution of the Ebonyi State Leaders and Stakeholders’ Political Summit held on 20th October, 2026, at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, which endorsed Ebonyi North to complete its eight-year tenure in 2027.
“Do you have the structure needed across the state to win a guber election, do you have the backing of the major/critical stakeholders? The answer is capital NO. Are you not aware of the recent resolution of the 20th October, 2026 stakeholders summit in Abakaliki and the resultant communiqué? Is that not enough reason for you to throw in the towel, step down, preserve your name and reposition yourself for a better tomorrow?” he queried.
The APC chieftain advised Odii to see withdrawal as strategy and not failure, noting that it would protect his legacy, resources and political relevance.
“Withdrawing now is a strategy, not failure. Issue without delay a peaceful withdrawal statement that will keep your political image intact. It is not cowardice but wisdom and statesmanship. Great leaders know when to fight and when to pause,” he stated.
Ekechi further argued that the cost of a repeat battle against the ruling APC, under a “disorganised PDP,” would drain the goodwill Odii has built over the years and could earn him the tag of a ‘serial contestant.’
He urged Odii to consider a strategic pause and reposition himself as a kingmaker and national stakeholder, remaining relevant for future calculations including the Senate or the 2039-2047 governorship cycle earlier proposed for Ebonyi South in the stakeholders’ communiqué.
The letter concluded with an offer to pay Odii a private visit in Lagos State, Abuja, or Enugu State to discuss further alignment with the APC and support for the re-election bid of Nwifuru.
Odii is yet to publicly respond to the letter as of the time of filing this report.