The Ebonyi State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Sunday blasted the current Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali, for allegedly allocating future Governorship seats to different zones in the State up till 2039.
The PDP frowned at such ideological permutation, explaining that the Commissioner had the audacity to do so “as though Ebonyians have surrendered their legal rights within the existing constitutional democracy and or their freedom to choose their leaders.”
The Party, whcih further described Mr. Offia-Nwali as a political astrologer added that: “Ebonyians have not forgotten that many of the same shameless political actors, now presenting zoning as an unquestionable covenant, were among those who vigorously opposed the emergence of HE, Sen David Umahi, in the 2014/2015 political cycle, despite the fact that Ebonyi South had not produced a governor at the time. “
According to the PDP, it is a known fact that Mr. Offia-Nwali vehemently advocated for the governorship aspiration of Sen. OGBA Obinna in defiance of the then zoning campaign for Ebonyi North.
“To this end, Ebonyians are now thrown to wondering whether the so-called zoning matra was halted when it became politically inconvenient and rediscovered only when it became politically useful?” It argued.
Disclosing this in a statement, the Publicity Secretary/Spokesperson
People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe stated that: “Truthfully, what unsettles certain political vultures today in Ebonyi State is not the violation of any known constitutional or conscientious arrangement or any self-styled zoning propaganda.
“What unsettles them is the growing popularity, acceptance, and credibility of HE, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, FHL, whose humanitarian interventions, economic empowerment footprint, private sector accomplishments, and developmental vision for transforming Ebonyi continue to resonate across the thirteen local government areas of Ebonyi State.”
He stressed that the “2027 conversation must, therefore, shift above fear, entitlement, and political gatekeeping” adding that “It must be about performance. It must be about capacity.
It must be about accountability. And most ultimately, it must be about the sovereign will of Ebonyians.”
He argued that”This is because, in a constitutional democracy, power belongs neither to political prophets nor self-appointed custodians of succession arrangements. Power always belongs to the people.”
He pointed to Mr. Offia-Nwali, and indeed Ebonyians, “that there’s no faction in PDP. We’re one formidable party, united by the vision of the Ebonyi State that works for all.”
The statement read in part: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State, has carefully reviewed the open love letter maliciously scripted by one Mr. Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, and is compelled to conclude that what was presented as political wisdom is, in truth, unfortunately, a desperate attempt to divert public attention from the more pressing questions of governance, accountability, and measurable public sector performance.
“Ordinarily, one would expect a serving Commissioner entrusted with the economic and industrial development of Ebonyi State to devote greater energy and intellect toward explaining the tangible economic gains, industrial growth indices, investment inflows, employment generation records, and commercial transformation achieved under his stewardship for about past three years and spanning.
“More revealing is the moral pedestal from which the Commissioner now speaks. As Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, the said Mr. Offia-Nwali publicly championed the widely publicized hawkers’ empowerment programme announced by the Ebonyi State Government under Gov. Nwifuru in 2023, in which beneficiaries were reportedly to receive ₦2 million each in phased disbursements.
“Multiple media reports published at the time (including Peoples Gazette Nigeria) indicated that the programme targeted hundreds of beneficiaries and was projected to cost several billions of naira.
Given the scale of public funds involved and the public controversies, allegations, and questions that later emerged around the programme, Ebonyians deserve answers.
“Accordingly, we respectfully place Mr. Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali on the strictest public accountability threshold to provide within twenty-four (48) hours present:
“The comprehensive list of beneficiaries under the failed programme; The local government areas of the beneficiaries;
The implementation framework adopted;
The verifiable disbursement records, including but not limited to their banking details; The monitoring and evaluation reports, establishing the present status of the beneficiaries and the businesses purportedly funded.
“Furthermore, and in the best interest of transparency, we also respectfully call upon Mr. Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali to furnish Ebonyians with verifiable implementation records relating to all the purported projects and interventions publicly attributed to his Ministry in the Government’s widely circulated People’s Charter of Needs performance reports, released on May 29, 2026.
“In particular, the Commissioner should avail the public of measurable performance indicators, procurement details, implementation status reports, beneficiary data where applicable, independent verification records, and economic impact assessments relating to all the acclaimed projects of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Failure of which we charge Mr. Offia-Nwali to borrow some shame and resign.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ebonyians are entitled to know not merely what was budgeted, announced, commissioned, procured, or publicized, but what was delivered, what remains functional, how many jobs were created, how many businesses were supported, what economic value was generated, and what measurable impact these interventions have had on the lives of ordinary Ebonyians, and the economic growth and development of the State.
“This request is neither political hostility nor personal attack. Rather, it is a legitimate accountability demand arising from programmes publicly announced, publicly celebrated, and publicly defended by the same Commissioner who now seeks to lecture Ebonyians on morality, sacrifice, and political discipline within the confine of purported zoning arrangement.
“No doubts, public office demands stewardship; while stewardship demands accountability, and accountability demands evidence. Hence, this request becomes particularly compelling because public office holders who seek to prescribe political morality to others must themselves be prepared to submit their stewardship to the court of public scrutiny.
“The issue before Ebonyians today is no longer who can write the longest open letter like Mr Oguzorkanu and others. It is who can present the most convincing record of service, accountability, economic management, and measurable results.
“In developed democracies, public confidence is earned not through political sermons but through verifiable performance.
“Consequently, we respectfully urge the Honourable Commissioner to prioritize a comprehensive public accounting of his stewardship. Such a contribution would enrich public discourse far more than speculative projections about who should govern Ebonyi State in 2027-2031, 2039, or beyond.
“Indeed, it is difficult to understand why a Commissioner whose ministry’s scorecard remains the subject of growing public scrutiny and alleged corrupt practices appears more interested in determining who should govern Ebonyi State in 2027-2031 and 2039 than in explaining the measurable economic outcomes of programmes executed under his supervision.
Even more ironic is the Commissioner’s sudden conversion into a defender of zoning orthodoxy.”