The Ezza Ezekuna Youth Assembly (EEYA), a socio-cultural youth organisation in Ebonyi State, has alleged that its members and leaders are facing threats, harassment and intimidation following the group’s endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Addressing a press conference in Abakaliki, the National President of the association, Comrade Sunday Orogwu, alleged that members of the group have been threatened with violence, including the destruction of their homes, because of their political stance.
According to Orogwu, the alleged intimidation intensified after the organisation publicly endorsed Chief Odii, claiming that some individuals have been moving through Ezza communities to harass members, stakeholders and supporters of the group.
The association maintained that, as a legitimate civic organisation, it has the constitutional right to freely associate with any political party or candidate of its choice and insisted that its endorsement was made in the interest of the people of Ebonyi State.
EEYA reaffirmed its support for Chief Ifeanyi Odii and declared that it would not be intimidated or discouraged from exercising its democratic rights.
The group called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Armed Forces to safeguard the rights of citizens and ensure that political activities are conducted peacefully.
The association also urged political parties, community leaders and the Ebonyi State Government to respect the constitutional rights of all citizens, stressing that elections should be driven by ideas and programmes rather than threats or intimidation.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ebonyi State Government had not responded to the allegations.
