Widows from the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State have declared support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), High Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement took place in Abakaliki on Saturday, during a solidarity gathering attended by leaders of the Widows Assembly from across the state.
Speaking at the event, the state coordinator of the assembly, Mrs Patricia Okun, said the decision to support Odii, popularly known as AnyiChuks, was based on his support for widows and their children.
“I am the state coordinator of this Widows Assembly. I am very happy and very grateful. Today the widows in the 13 local governments are here to endorse High Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the PDP governorship candidate as our candidate because of what he has been doing for us and our children.
“At least I lost my husband 10 years ago. And nobody has ever asked me, even the government, except High chief, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the husband of the widow. He honestly takes care of the widows.
“I don’t know for the other side, but for me and others here, we are happy with AnyiChuks and that is why we are gathered here to pray for him and assure him that we are supporting him in this 2027 general election that is coming.”
In his response, Odii thanked the widows for their support and pledged to promote inclusiveness in his administration if elected.
He was represented by the National President of the Odozie Obodo Youth Assembly, Hon Mark Onu, who said the PDP candidate had insisted that the Widows Assembly should be led by a widow who understood the challenges faced by its members.
“AnyiChuks, for you to know that He’s a man that tries to put eyes in all the necessary places. We still remember that in this state widows should have a say.
“Widows should have a say. Because in some society widows are not recognized. Because the man who has been backing them may not be there and people will relegate them to dustbin. And AnyiChuks has said this will not be the way I will run my government. My government is going to be a government of inclusiveness.
“Where widows will have an office in his government. Where widows will be given opportunity to speak and we listen to them. In this state if all the widows come out and do solidarity march in whatever thing they believe in, no government can joke with whatever thing they ask for. Because widows they have authority. Because God listens to their prayers very fast.
“Do you know what it means that a widow cries? That you offend a widow and she cries and opens her mouth and says something. It will be very difficult for such thing not to come to pass,” he said.
Onu said widows faced significant challenges raising their children without their husbands and deserved support from leaders.
“Do you know why AnyiChuks insisted that it must be a widow that will lead the leadership of widows? The reason is that if you are not a widow you will not know the pain of a widow. You may see a widow that has 5 children. The husband is no longer there. The children may not be financially buoyant. That widow will go to sell akara. That widow will go to sell pure water. That widow will carry yam on her head and go around the whole Abakaliki just to sell that food item to get food for the children. These are what widows are passing through in this state.
“So that’s why Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the incoming governor of Ebonyi state said that your state coordinator should meet with you people to ginger you to know that all is not lost. That he is your son, he is also your husband. That he is ready to always identify with you in the morning, in the afternoon and in the night,” he added.
He urged the widows to demonstrate their support on election day by presenting their Permanent Voter Cards, voting and ensuring their votes were counted.
Onu also disclosed that arrangements were being made to include widows in the PDP campaign council. He appealed to them to continue praying for the party’s candidate.
“Continue to pray for High Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii. Continue to wish him luck. Prayers is also part of support. Because God listens faster, answers faster when widows come together and pray,” Onu stated.
The event ended with prayers and the distribution of wrappers and transport support to the widows.
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