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As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, civil society groups, journalists and other stakeholders in Ebonyi State have urged voters to scrutinise candidates carefully before deciding who to support. They stressed that political party membership, campaign slogans and attractive manifestos should not be the only factors guiding electoral choices.
The call was made during a democratic dialogue in Abakaliki, where participants discussed the type of leadership Ebonyi needs and the responsibilities candidates must fulfil if elected. Organisers said the engagement was designed to give aspirants an opportunity to explain their programmes while allowing citizens to question their plans and ability to deliver.
Programme Director of the Centre for Media and Dialogue Initiative, Eze Chikodiri Igwe, challenged voters to ask candidates how they intend to implement their promises, the resources required and the measures that would be used to assess their performance. He maintained that elected officials must be accountable to the people and judged by tangible results.
Media representatives also called for closer examination of candidates’ proposals on agriculture, healthcare, security and economic development. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, verify political information before sharing it and reject attempts to involve young people in electoral violence.
The dialogue attracted representatives of several political parties, including the Labour Party, ADC, PDP, NDC and ARM, while the APC and its candidates were reportedly absent. Stakeholders called for peaceful campaigns and issue-based debates, emphasising that voters need reliable information and clear answers to make informed decisions ahead of the 2027 polls.
