By CHARLES IWUOHA

Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Ebonyi State chapter, has adopted the governorship Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, and his Deputy, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, for the March 11, 2023 election in the state.

The endorsement whichh took place during the flag-off of the PDP Gubernatorial Campaign at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium Abakaliki.

The CUPP led by Engr. Chinedum Elekwachi made the announcement with over five registered political parties signed the endorsement paper.

According to the group, CUPP has become the voice of the opposition in the state since processes of the 2023 general elections began.

“CUPP has held interaction virtually with all the Governorship Candidates in the state. In other hands, some of the candidates has lobbied to be adopted by CUPP, but the choice of Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii was prominent because he has a tested and established capacity.

“We have maintained that to win the incumbent in the state, we must have a United opposition and that informed our choice of Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.

“The opposition political Parties need to come together to have a choice candidate that will be presented in the poll. In the coming days, candidates of some of the opposition political parties will be making open declaration their withdrawal in the Governorship contest in support of Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.

“This is what Ebonyi CUPP is doing to give the opposition a coordinated and organized outing in the election.”

The group stated that Odii is a proven industrialist and he is already doing as a private individual.

Stating that the kind of governor Ebonyi State wants in 2023 is someone that has broad understanding of business and can utilize the potentials of the state into productivity.

“Unemployment is ravaging the state and that has resulted to insecurity and political instability. Ebonyi State needs a governor that can provide a social and economic address for Ebonyians is what we need in 2023,” CUPP said.