By Amara Ehia, Abakaliki
Political aspirants seeking elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State came under intense scrutiny at the weekend as the Ohaukwu Youth General Assembly organised an interactive forum aimed at promoting peaceful campaigns and issue-based politics.
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.
Organisers said the forum was designed to give young people the opportunity to directly engage political aspirants, assess their leadership capacity and obtain commitments on peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.
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Addressing participants, National President of the Ohaukwu Youth Assembly, Mr. Emmanuel Onah, said the organisation remained committed to promoting unity, peace and responsible leadership among youths across Ezzamgbo, Ngbo, Effium and Ezza-Effium communities.
According to him, the Assembly had continued to tackle cultism, drug abuse and youth restiveness in the area, stressing that political activities must not be allowed to threaten the prevailing peace in the local government.
Onah disclosed that all participating candidates signed a peace accord, pledging to conduct violence-free campaigns and ensure that their supporters avoided actions capable of disrupting public order.
“We want development, unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. That is why we invited all the candidates to speak directly to the youths and tell us what they have to offer,” he said.
The youth leader, however, expressed disappointment over the absence of some invited aspirants, noting that failure to honour the invitation could be interpreted as disregard for the youths whose votes they seek.
Speaking during the engagement, candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, identified unemployment as a major driver of insecurity and social unrest among young people.
He said meaningful empowerment and job creation would significantly reduce violence and criminality in the society.
“The first responsibility of leadership is to take youths off the streets. What we are offering is not rice or handouts but employment opportunities and empowerment programmes,” Ogalagu stated.
He promised to prioritise educational scholarships, skills acquisition programmes, infrastructure development and postgraduate sponsorship opportunities for qualified youths if elected.
The candidate also pledged support for women through cassava processing initiatives and access to soft loans to boost small-scale businesses.
Also speaking, APGA candidate for Ohaukwu South State Constituency, Chief Onyeoma Kelechi, highlighted his contributions to education and youth empowerment through scholarship schemes and community interventions.
Kelechi maintained that legislative representation goes beyond lawmaking, stressing that effective oversight and monitoring of government projects were necessary for good governance and development.
For his part, Barrister Christopher Ajagba, candidate of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, identified peacebuilding as a key priority for the constituency.
He lamented the prolonged Effium and Ezza-Effium crisis, noting that sustainable development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
Similarly, Mr. Sebastian Valentine Odono, NDC candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, urged voters to assess candidates based on competence, vision and capacity to deliver democratic dividends.
Odono unveiled a six-point agenda focusing on effective representation, agriculture, youth development, education and economic empowerment.
Labour Party candidate for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, Comrade Christian Mayor Iduma, also stressed the need for visionary leadership capable of attracting development opportunities to the area.
He said his campaign was anchored on a “healing mandate” aimed at restoring peace and rebuilding communities affected by conflicts.
In the same vein, APGA candidate for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, Mr. Kenneth Onwe, said grassroots development would remain central to his legislative agenda if elected.
He cited several interventions already carried out through his foundation, including educational support programmes and assistance to widows and vulnerable groups.
Delivering a lecture at the event, Barrister Mishael Elom cautioned youths against the misuse of social media, warning that cyberbullying, defamation and invasion of privacy carried serious legal consequences.
He urged participants to embrace issue-based politics and avoid actions capable of inciting hatred or damaging the reputation of others.
The event attracted youth leaders from communities across Ezzamgbo, Ngbo, Effium and Ezza-Effium, alongside representatives of security agencies, media organisations, political stakeholders and supporters of the various candidates.
