Ebonyi 2027: Youth Group Pressures Political Candidates to Sign Peace Accord

Political candidates seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State came under scrutiny at the weekend as the Ohaukwu Youth General Assembly convened an interactive forum where aspirants presented their plans and signed a peace accord committing themselves to violence-free campaigns.

The event, held at Grace Garden and Event Centre in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, brought together candidates contesting various positions, youth leaders, community stakeholders and security agencies in what organisers described as a move to promote peaceful political engagement and accountable leadership ahead of the elections.

Addressing participants, the National President of the Ohaukwu Youth Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Onah, said the forum was designed to provide a platform for youths to engage directly with political aspirants and assess their capacity to deliver effective representation.

According to him, the Assembly remains the first youth organisation to bring together young people from Ezzamgbo, Ngbo, Effium and Ezza-Effium communities under one umbrella.

He said the organisation had worked tirelessly to reduce cult-related activities, drug abuse and youth restiveness in the area, stressing that the peace currently being enjoyed in the local government must not be undermined by political activities.

Onah disclosed that all participating candidates signed a peace accord, pledging to conduct their campaigns peacefully and ensure that their supporters refrain from violence and acts capable of disrupting public order.

“We want a situation where our mothers can sleep with their two eyes closed. We want development, unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. That is why we invited all the candidates to tell the youths what they have to offer before seeking their votes,” he said.

The youth leader expressed disappointment over the absence of some invited aspirants, saying their refusal to honour the invitation could be interpreted as a lack of regard for the youths whose votes they seek.

He maintained that the programme was open to candidates across political parties and was conducted under adequate security arrangements approved by relevant security agencies.

Speaking during the engagement, a candidate for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, identified unemployment as one of the major causes of insecurity and social unrest among young people.

He argued that meaningful youth engagement through employment opportunities would significantly reduce violence and criminal activities.

“The first thing a representative ought to do is to take youths off the streets. When youths are gainfully employed, there will be no war. What we are offering is not rice or handouts but opportunities for employment and empowerment,” he said.

Ogalagu promised to prioritise job creation, educational scholarships, skills acquisition programmes and infrastructure development if elected.

He also pledged to sponsor postgraduate education for qualified youths across the constituency and support women through cassava-processing initiatives and access to soft loans.

Also addressing the gathering, APGA candidate for Ohaukwu South State Constituency, Chief Onyeoma Kelechi, highlighted his record in education and youth empowerment.

He said he had established educational institutions and scholarship schemes through his foundation and would expand such interventions if elected into public office.

Kelechi noted that legislative representation extends beyond lawmaking to include effective oversight and ensuring that government projects are properly executed for the benefit of the people.

He assured constituents that he would champion policies capable of creating employment opportunities and improving governance.

For his part, Barrister Christopher Ajagba, candidate of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, identified peacebuilding as a major priority for the constituency.

He lamented the prolonged Effium and Ezza-Effium crisis and other communal disputes affecting parts of the area, saying sustainable development could only thrive in a peaceful environment.

Ajagba pledged to pursue initiatives that would promote reconciliation, stability, employment and empowerment across the constituency.

Similarly, Mr Sebastian Valentine Odono, NDC candidate for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, urged voters to assess candidates based on competence, vision and capacity to deliver.

Odono, who described himself as a newcomer to partisan politics, unveiled a six-point agenda centred on effective representation, education, agriculture, youth development and economic empowerment.

He promised to attract modern agricultural technologies to improve productivity and support farmers in transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.

Labour Party candidate for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, Comrade Christian Mayor Iduma, stressed the need for visionary leadership capable of attracting development partners and opportunities to the area.

He said his campaign was anchored on a “healing mandate” aimed at restoring lasting peace, particularly in communities affected by conflicts.

Iduma urged young people to place competence and character above political party affiliations when making electoral choices.

In his remarks, APGA candidate for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, Mr Kenneth Onwe, said grassroots development would remain at the centre of his legislative agenda.

He cited several interventions already undertaken through his foundation, including educational support programmes and assistance to widows and vulnerable groups.

Onwe pledged to collaborate with development agencies to attract projects and improve living conditions across the constituency.

A guest speaker at the event, Barrister Mishael Elom, warned against the misuse of social media and cautioned youths on the legal implications of cyberbullying, defamation and invasion of privacy.

He urged participants to embrace issue-based politics and avoid actions capable of inciting hatred or damaging the reputation of others.

According to him, the responsible use of digital platforms is essential for peaceful coexistence and the deepening of democratic values.