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Tag: Dave Umahi

  • Ebonyi Governor, Dave Umahi joins senate presidency race

    Ebonyi Governor, Dave Umahi joins senate presidency race

    Ebonyi governor and Senator-elect for Ebonyi South senatorial district, Dave Umahi has shown interest in becoming the senate president for the 10th Assembly.

    Umahi joined other senators to show interest in the contest on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

    Umahi’s interest in becoming the senate president was made known by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Francis Nwaze via a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday

    His post reads, “Governor David Umahi, CON, indicates interest in contesting for the President of the Senate of the 10th Senate”.

    Speculations are flying high that the senate presidency  for the 10th senate will be zoned to the Southeast by the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC)

    The party may also pick a Christian senator for the position, having the president-elect, Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima as Muslims.

    Recall that the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday warned that since Nigeria is a secular state, it would not be right for persons of the same religious faith to occupy the first three highest political offices in the country.

    Kalu who spoke to journalists on Tuesday, stated that it was his turn to become the President of the Senate, noting that he is the most ranking Senator of the APC from the South East.

    The present senate president, Ahmad Lawan is from Yobe state and may not be returned as senate president at the 10th senate.

    By the time the 9th senate runs to an end, Lawan would have  spent just one term as senate president.

     

     

     

  • 2023: Dave Umahi, wife head Ebonyi APC campaign councils

    2023: Dave Umahi, wife head Ebonyi APC campaign councils

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi and his wife, Rachael, will head the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 general elections campaign councils for both men and women’s wings in the state.

    Umahi. while inaugurating both wings of the council on Saturday night in Abakaliki, said that he would head the men’s wing while his wife would head the women’s wing.

    The governor announced that his immediate younger brother, Austin Umahi, would be the Director-General of the men’s wing while the state Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, is the First Vice Chairman of the men’s wing.

    “The wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Ethel Igwe is the First Vice-Chairman of the women’s wing while Mrs Queendaline Nwigwe is the Second Vice-Chairman.

    `The wife of the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru, is the third vice chairman while the party’s gubernatorial running mate, Mrs Patricia Obila, is the fourth vice-chairman.

    “The party’s candidates at all levels of the elections are members of the council in various categories, among other party stakeholders.

    He commended the party faithful for the massive solidarity given to the party’s presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju BolaTinubu, during his recent campaign in the state.

    “It is incontrovertible that women surpassed expectations and exceeded the men in mobilisation during the rally.

    “I hereby make a case for enhanced slots for the women in the state’s governance and urge the incoming governor to ensure such.

    “When we tried giving women 40 per cent of the affirmative action, the men protested but next time we will give women 60 per cent and the men 40 per cent,” he said.

    Umahi made a personal donation of N30 million to the campaign councils, noting that it was neither government money, nor party fund.

    Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the state party chairman, thanked the governor for inaugurating the councils, noting that it was time for action.

    “You showed capacity during the recent presidential campaign in the state and proved to the party’ national leadership that you are also a professor of politics, as well as infrastructure.

    “It is time for members to mobilise and canvass for votes in all localities across the state to prove that Ebonyi is entirely APC,” he said.

    Party stalwarts, including national assembly members, expressed their readiness to ensure total victory for the party in the elections.

  • Gov. Dave Umahi approves christmas bonus for Ebonyi workers

    Gov. Dave Umahi approves christmas bonus for Ebonyi workers

    As part of efforts of the Ebonyi state government’s social contract to Civil Servants, the governor of Ebonyi state, David Nweze Umahi, has directed the early payment of christmas bonus of Fifteen Thousand Naira each, to Ebonyi state workers.

    The governor also added that civil servants in the State, should be paid their November and December salaries together before December 10, 2022, in order to give workers enough time and resources to plan ahead for the Christmas and New year celebrations.

    This was known in a statement from the office of the Accountant General of the State, Emeka Nwankwo, made available to the office of the Special Assistant (SA) on Media and Strategy to Ebonyi State Governor, Saturday.

    The statement reads in part: “In keeping with Ebonyi State Government’s social contract with our Civil Servants to ensure that they enjoy the holiday season despite the late arrival of FAAC allocations to the State in recent months, His Excellency the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Chief David Umahi Nweze FNSE, FNATE, CON, has directed that Overdraft facilities should be obtained from banks and that the State and Local Government Areas must pay November and December Salaries together with the Christmas bonus of Fifteen Thousand Naira to all Civil Servants by 10th December 2022.

    “This is to ensure that our Civil Servants have enough time to plan their Yuletide celebrations while also enjoying the holiday season.”

    Recall that Governor Umahi, in line with his avowed commitment to the welfare of workers, has always extended these gestures to Civil and Public servants in the State every year, right from the inception of his administration.

    These financial benefits are always complemented by other material gifts such as bags of rice.

    It is expected that this benevolence from the Governor would further spur the diligence and dedication of State Civil and Public servants to their duties.

  • Gov. Ben Ayade and Dave Umahi visits Wike in Rivers state

    Gov. Ben Ayade and Dave Umahi visits Wike in Rivers state

    Cross River state governor Ben Ayade and Ebonyi state governor Dave Umahi, on  Wednesday, paid a visit to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, in his country home in Rumueprikon, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

    Details of the meeting could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

    It was learnt that Wike’s ally and the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, later joined the meeting.

    It was gathered that as soon as the guest governors arrived, they were welcomed by their host and immediately ushered into a closed-door meeting.

    Wike and four other governors have been fighting for equity and justice in the Peoples Democratic Party, insisting that the embattled National Chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, must resign.

  • 2023: INEC publishes final list of candidates

    2023: INEC publishes final list of candidates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates for 2023 national elections.

    The general elections will be conducted for Presidential, National and State constituencies as well as governorship, but the list covered only the federal positions.

    The list of candidates for the presidential elections includes Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP), Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Party (NNPP), Sowere Stephen of the African Action Congress (AAC ), Kachikwu Dumebi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and 12 others with their running mates.

    Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Tuesday in Abuja, said that INEC at its regular weekly meeting held on Tuesday approved the final list of candidates for the polls.

    Okoye said that the publication was in pursuant to Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and item 8 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election.

    He said that the publication of the full names and addresses of all nominated candidates follows the political parties’ conduct of primaries and completion of the nomination exercise.

    He recalled that at end of the process, the personal particulars of all nominated candidates were displayed in their constituencies nationwide as provided by Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act.

    “Subsequently, validly nominated candidates had the opportunity to voluntarily withdraw their candidature by notice in writing and personally deliver such notice to the political party that nominated them for the election.

    “Thereafter, political parties substituted such candidates under Section 31 of the Electoral Act for which the last day was 15th July 2022 for national elections and 12th August 2022 for State elections as clearly provided in item 6 of the Commission’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities.

    “Thereafter, no withdrawal or substitution of candidates is allowed except in the event of death as provided in section 34(1) of the Electoral Act or pursuant to an order of a Court of competent jurisdiction.’’

    Okoye said that the list published contained the names of candidates validly nominated for national elections at the close of party primaries and the period earmarked for withdrawal and substitution of candidates.

    He added the final list of candidates for State elections (Governorship and State Constituencies) would be published on Oct. 4,  as already indicated on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election.

    “We note the fact that not all the political parties conducted primaries in all the constituencies, submitted the particulars of candidates that emerged from valid primaries or substituted their candidates after fresh primaries within 14 days as provided in Section 33 of the Electoral Act.

    “This has led to numerous litigations, some of which are ongoing.

    “Where the Commission was served with Court orders by aggrieved aspirants or candidates before the publication of this list, these have been indicated under the remark column.’’

    OKoye said that in summary, all the 18 political parties have fielded candidates and their running mates for the Presidential election.

    “For legislative elections, 1,101 candidates are vying for 109 Senatorial seats and 3,122 candidates for Federal Constituencies i.e. House of Representatives seats, making a total of 4,223 candidates contesting for 469 legislative positions.

    “In terms of gender distribution, 3,875 candidates are male, made up of 35 for Presidential and Vice Presidential, 1,008 for Senate and 2,832 for House of Representatives.

    “Similarly, 381 females comprising one for Presidential, 92 for Senate, and 288 for House of Representatives are contesting. There are also 11 Persons with Disability (PWDs) in the race.’’

    Okoye said that the list for specific constituencies was published in each state where they were located while the comprehensive nationwide list had been uploaded to the Commission’s website.

    He therefore appealed to all political parties to channel any observations on the list of candidates to the commission.

    He, however, added that such must be signed by the National Chairman and Secretary of the political party and supported with an affidavit as provided in Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    2023: INEC clears Umahi, 79 others for NASS elections in Ebonyi

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Tuesday published the list of 80 successful candidates, including Gov. David Umahi, for the 2023 National Assembly elections in Ebonyi.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Joseph Chukwu, disclosed this at a news briefing at the INEC headquarters on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

    Chukwu said that the list had been displayed at the state headquarters and INEC Offices in the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.

    He said that the commission cleared 32 presidential and vice presidential candidates from the 18 registered political parties for the 2023 poll.

    He said the display of the list of cleared candidates was in compliance with section 32 (1) of the Electoral Act.

    The section provides that the names of candidates sponsored by political parties shall be published 150 days before the election.

    A breakdown of the list showed 29 Senatorial and 51 House Representatives candidates from the three senatorial districts and six federal constituencies of Ebonyi.

    Gov. Dave Umahi made the senatorial list as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Ebonyi South.

    2023: Ayade challenges INEC on free, fair poll in C/River

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Cross River.

    The Governor gave the challenge on Wednesday in Calabar when he received the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Alalibo Johnson.

    Ayade, however, assured the INEC of peaceful atmosphere before and during the 2023 general elections in the state.

    He noted that given the new REC’s track records and integrity, he had no doubt he would deliver.

    According to him, “On behalf of the good people of Cross River State, l hereby give you that commitment that we will guarantee you free and safe elections.

    “We also call on the INEC to please honour its pledge too so that we can have free, fair, credible, reliable and dependable elections.

    “Government is not going to in any way influence your process, but we want to say that we are available and willing to support you at all times that INEC will so require our services.”

    Ayade commended the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu “who has distinguished himself in this country”.

    Speaking further, he said “Never before have we had an INEC Chairman who has enjoyed the mutual trust from both the ruling party and the opposition parties.

    “This is one chairman who has conducted his elections and results returned based on what is on the ground.

    “He is not subject to any inducement, he is subject to the God that he serves and l want to say that his name would go down in history as one of the very best INEC Chairmen that we have ever had. God bless him and God will continue to sustain him.”

    Earlier in his speech, the new REC who harped on the need for a conducive atmosphere, noted that it is what is needed for free and fair elections to thrive.

    “There is no way we can conduct a free and fair election without security. We call on you to use your good offices to ensure that we have peace in the state.

    “Peace in the sense that people can move freely to vote for candidates of their choice, and also, we at the back end of INEC can do our job without intimidation,” he stated.

    The REC disclosed that about 90,000 uncollected PVCs were listed across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state and appealed to the registrants to come forward and pick up their PVCs.

    He also said that with the creation of new polling units, Cross River now had 3,281 Polling units.

  • RALLY: Ebonyi police disperse, teargas supporters of Peter Obi [VIDEO]

    RALLY: Ebonyi police disperse, teargas supporters of Peter Obi [VIDEO]

    Police officers in Ebonyi State have dispersed and teargassed supporters of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who embarked on a rally in the state.

    Supporters of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who embarked on a rally in Ebonyi state today September 17, were reportedly teargassed by the police.

    TheNewsGuru.com gathered that the supporters of Peter Obi, who are also known as “Obidients”, had gathered along Mile 50 for the rally before being teargassed by policemen who stopped them from going to the streets.

    An “Obidients” supporter simply identified as Nwali Ikechukwu explained that some persons were injured after security operatives stormed the take-off point with teargas.

    The Ebonyi state police command is however yet to react to the incident.

    Ebonyi, a state controlled by ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is administered by Governor Dave Umahi.

    Ebonyi police disperse, teargas supporters of Peter Obi [VIDEO]

    Recall that last week, it was reported that Umahi said though “Peter Obi movement” is one built on equity, justice, and fairness, “it may not translate to outright win”.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission had said campaigns for next year’s polls would begin on September 28.

    In Enugu State, on September 10th, 2022, last week Saturday, supporters of Peter Obi held a solidarity march in Enugu and Ondo states.

    The supporters, who were largely young people, held the march on Saturday as they rally more Nigerians to back the former Anambra State governor’s presidential bid.

    In Enugu State, the youths embarked on what they called a “One Million-Man March” to show their solidarity for Obi. The supporters, who are known as “Obidients”, took off from Mike Opara Square in Enugu, and marched through the major streets in the town.

    They called on residents of the town to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) so as to vote for a “new Nigeria” and “take back their country”.

    Watch video below:

     

     

  • Wike: Those who attacked me for dumping PDP are now crying- Umahi

    Wike: Those who attacked me for dumping PDP are now crying- Umahi

    Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi has asked some members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to apologize to him for attacking him when he dumped the party two years ago.

    Recall that Umahi dumped the party for the ruling All Progressive Congress in 2020 citing some irregularities in the PDP.

    Umahi made this statement while featuring on a political programme on Ariste TV on Friday, stated that some of the members of the opposition PDP who were angered by his defection to APC are now crying, saying he deserves an apology from everyone of them.

    He said, “I didn’t move from PDP to APC to have the ticket of the ruling party as presidential candidate. I only did that because I perceived that PDP was not going to give ticket to an Igbo man and I felt like it was not fair because we have served the party since 1999.

    “A lot of people that are crying today were the people that attacked me for leaving PDP at that stage but subsequently, they left and so they owe me apologies.”

    The governor’s assertion is coming amid a face-off between the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    Wike  had on Thursday threatened to help the opposition party lose the 2023 presidential election.

    Wike has been at loggerheads with some members of the PDP and the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s National Chairman, Iyorcha Ayu amog other prominent politicians in the party.

    Asked about his  relationship with Wike, Umahi said he has reconciled with the Rivers Governor, stating they are moving together.

    According to him, “I and Wike had a quarrel, and when there is quarrel, there will be anger, and that anger may not be a holy one. That is what transpired between us.

    “Before I left PDP, we were best of friends, and you know how better it will be when your friend leaves you. That was the case between Wike and I.

    “We have since reconciled and we are moving together. Wike and other Southern Governors believed in the Southern presidency and this is the spirit that is currently flogging the PDP.”

  • Governor Umahi clinches Ebonyi South senatorial ticket

    Governor Umahi clinches Ebonyi South senatorial ticket

    Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, was on Sunday declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone ticket after a fresh election was conducted.

    Prof Emmanuel Adebayo Kehinde the chairman of the APC electoral panel, said that five contestants participated in the fresh primary election of the party.

    The contestants included; Austin Chukwu Umahi, David Umahi, Mrs. Ann Agom-Eze, Mrs. Ibiam Margret Ezenwanyi, and Mrs. Chiko Elizabeth Nwakaego.

    The election, which was held at the Afikpo North Local Government Area headquarters, witnessed the presence of prominent stakeholders of the state, including the members of the state executive council.

    Announcing the election result, Prof. Kehinde, said that Umahi polled a total of 260 votes, Ezenwanyi scored 3 votes, Nwakaego scored 5 votes, while 7 votes were invalid.

     

    It was gathered that Umahi and his younger brother, Austin Chukwu Umahi, came first and second respectively, while Agom-Eze had zero votes at the time of filing this report.

    Findings also show that  Umahi’s younger brother did not partake in the election.

    In his post-election remark, Umahi thanked the entire people of Ebonyi State for the opportunity given to him to clinch the ticket.

  • Gov Umahi’s brother, Austin Umahi rejects Buhari’s appointment

    Gov Umahi’s brother, Austin Umahi rejects Buhari’s appointment

    Chief Austin Umahi has declined his appointment as the secretary of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

    Chief Umahi, who is the younger brother of Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, in a statement on Thursday in Abakaliki, however, appreciated those who congratulated him on the appointment.

    “I am honestly humbled by this show of love but regret to inform you that I declined the appointment. This is because it is best for job seekers, retired civil servants or anyone who loves the job.

    “I am also convinced that at my age and work experience, it is not in doubt that I know what I want in life.

    “Anyone interested in the position should not hesitate to approach our indefatigable governor to do the needful. This is because to my knowledge, the position is still vacant,” Umahi said.

    Recall that Umahi won the All Progressives Congress (APC)  primary for Ebonyi South Senatorial District held on May 28, 2022.

    He was reported to have relinquished his senatorial candidacy to the governor who failed to clinch the party’s presidential ticket.

    The party has however fixed a re-run of the primary for July 31 in compliance with a Federal High Court ruling that the governor could not hold the ticket.

  • 2023: Ayade, Akpabio, Lawan, others did not violate Electoral Act by obtaining multiple forms – INEC

    2023: Ayade, Akpabio, Lawan, others did not violate Electoral Act by obtaining multiple forms – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that aspirants who obtained multiple forms for party primaries have not violated the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye was clarifying Section 115 of the Electoral Act 2022 when he made this known.

    Recall that President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State; Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and some others obtained multiple forms for the primary elections their political party conducted.

    Lawan, Akpabio, Ayade and Umahi who were presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were also said to have purchased senatorial forms for their various senatorial districts.

    Section 115(1) (d) of the Act provides that any person who signs a nomination paper or result form as a candidate in more than one constituency at the same election commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment.

    Section 152 of the Act defines a candidate to mean a person who has secured the nomination of a political party to contest an election for any elective office.

    Reacting on Tuesday in an interview with a correspondent of PUNCH Newspapers, Okoye said those who obtained and signed multiple forms were aspirants and not candidates as defined by Section 152 of the Electoral Act.

    “Before someone will come within the compass and contemplation of the law as a candidate, the political party must conduct valid primaries and the sponsoring party must upload the list or information relating to the candidates they intend to sponsor to the commission’s candidates nomination portal and this is in compliance with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    “Thereafter, the personal particulars of the candidates will be displayed in the constituencies where they intend to contest the election and this is for claims and objections.

    “After this process, the candidates will now fill nomination forms (Forms EC13A, EC13B, EC13C, EC13D and EC13 E) in compliance with Section 30(1) of the Electoral Act.

    “Section 30(1) of the Act provides that a candidate for an election shall be nominated in writing by such number of persons whose names appear on the register of voters in the constituency as the commission may prescribe.

    “This is the process covered by Section 115(d) of the Electoral Act. The last day for the submission of nomination forms for presidential candidates and National Assembly candidates is August 8, 2022 while that of governorship and state assembly candidates is August 18, 2022.

    “During the conduct of party primaries, the persons you referred to are aspirants as defined by Section 152 of the Electoral Act. The forms they filled as aspirants are the forms of their political parties and not that of the commission.

    “The list submitted by the political parties under Section 29(1) of the Act is the list of candidates the party proposes to sponsor.

    “The only documents signed by the candidates are the affidavit deposed by them. That is not the nomination form as contemplated by Section 115(d) of the Act,” Okoye said.

    ALSO READ || BREAKING: Ayade not eligible to run for Senate in 2023 – INEC

    Notwithstanding, INEC had earlier said it did not monitor the primaries that produced some of the aspirants as senatorial candidates, and therefore are not eligible to run in the 2023 elections.