Chief Ifeanyi-Chukwuma Odii, the 2027 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, has firmly rejected allegations by federal lawmaker Chinedu Ogah that he is funding cyberbullying campaigns against the state government. In a statement delivered to journalists in Abakaliki on Tuesday, Odii dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated, asserting that they aim to criminalize legitimate public criticism and distract from real governance challenges in Ebonyi.
Odii, popularly known as “AnyiChuks,” emphasized that citizens have a constitutional right to demand accountability from elected officials. He questioned the logic behind labeling public inquiries as cyberbullying, asking, “Since when did asking questions become cyberbullying? Since when did demanding a scorecard become cyberstalking?” He stressed that transparency and good governance are not optional but essential for the development of the state.
He further stated that the people of Ebonyi deserve to know how public funds allocated to the state have been spent. Odii maintained that criticism of government policies and performance is a cornerstone of democracy and should not be misconstrued as personal attacks. He urged the public to recognize the difference between constructive criticism and malicious propaganda.
In addition, Odii denied claims that he is influencing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to register underage voters. He called the accusation reckless, defamatory, and devoid of evidence. He challenged Ogah to present any proof to the appropriate security agencies instead of making unsubstantiated allegations in the media.
Odii reaffirmed his commitment to continue holding the government accountable, praising it where it performs well and criticizing it where improvements are needed. He pledged to advocate for transparency, accountability, and inclusive development, highlighting that responsible opposition is vital to democratic governance.
He also declared that he would not be silenced or intimidated by such allegations, asserting that the people of Ebonyi will ultimately decide the outcome of the 2027 governorship election. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Ogah had recently accused Odii of orchestrating cyberbullying and propaganda against Governor Dave Umahi’s administration, though the governor’s name was later corrected to Nwifuru in subsequent reports.
As the 2027 election draws closer, the exchange between Odii and Ogah underscores the growing political tensions in Ebonyi State, with both sides reinforcing their positions on accountability, democracy, and electoral integrity. The coming months will likely see more public discourse on governance and electoral fairness as candidates prepare for the next election cycle.
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