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Tag: Dave Umahi

  • Flashback: How Gov Dave Umahi dumped PDP for APC

    Flashback: How Gov Dave Umahi dumped PDP for APC

    Governor Dave Umahi announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Umahi claimed at the time of his defection that he was leaving the PDP with which he won the governorship seat on two occasions because of injustice.

    “Why am I moving to APC? Some people said I was promised this and that but I tell you, there is no such discussion. APC never promised me any position, they never promised South East any position, there was no such discussion.

    “However, I offered this movement as a protest to injustice being done to the South-east by the PDP. Since 1999, the South-east has supported the PDP. At a time the five states were all PDP. One of the founding members of the PDP was from South-east, the late former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme.

    “It is absurd that since 1999 going to 2023, the South-east will never be considered to run for presidency under the PDP. And this is my position and will continue to be my position. It had nothing to do with me or my ambition,” he said at the time of his defection.

    TNG reports after Umahi left the PDP, he became a terror to those who refused to leave the party with him. Preparatory to his dumping the party, Umahi sealed the State headquarters of the PDP.

    While most lawmakers in the State House of Assembly were forced to defect with him, all lawmakers elected on the platform of the PDP representing Ebonyi State at the National Assembly (NASS) refused to defect with him.

    After Umahi left the PDP, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State was adopted as the new leader of the party in the South East Zone.

    After he left, not too long enough, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State also left their parties to the APC.

    Meanwhile, Femi Fani-Kayode confessed to facilitating the defection of Ayade, Umahi, Matawalle.

    I remain Governor of Ebonyi State – Umahi reacts to court ruling sacking him

    Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Governor has reacted to the court ruling sacking him, saying that he remains the Governor of the State.

    TNG reports Umahi was on Tuesday sacked as the Governor of Ebonyi along with his Deputy, Eric Kelechi-Igwe, and 17 lawmakers who defected with him.

    The court ruled that the votes that brought Umahi to power belong to the PDP and not the APC, hence, he cannot continue to be Governor after leaving the party that nominated him.

    Briefing journalists at the Ebonyi State Government House, Umahi said the ruling is jungle justice and that it was a judgement purchased.

    He added that the ruling was not good for the Nigerian judiciary.

  • What Ebonyi people are saying about the sack of Governor Umahi, Deputy

    What Ebonyi people are saying about the sack of Governor Umahi, Deputy

    Mixed reactions have trailed the removal of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi-Igwe from office by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    While some residents saw it as a welcome development, others were disappointed with the judgement.

    Some residents who spoke on Tuesday in Abakaliki described it as “victory for democracy”.

    According to them, the judgement is an indication that the judiciary remains the beacon of democracy and last hope of the common man.

    Mr Basil Igwe, a resident, said that the judgement would deepen democracy in the court and curtail the excesses of politicians especially, the elected representatives who jumped from one party to another.

    “The judgement is a true reflection of the Constitution and Electoral Act. The governor unlawfully defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored him in the 2015 and 2019 elections.

    “The court victory is a vindication of our constitution and it will go a long way in checking the excesses of our politicians who jump from one political party to another without any reasonable cause,” he said.

    Another resident, Mr Uchenna Igwe said that the victory was not for the PDP but for every democracy-loving citizens of the country.

    He regretted that the nation’s democracy was in grave danger due to the attitude of some of the politicians and their neglect of the provisions of the Constitution.

    “The judgement will serve as a deterrent to other elected public officials who would want to leave the party that sponsored them to victory for another party without relinquishing the position.

    “I applaud the courage of Justice Enyang Ewo for the judgement and urge the judiciary to remain alive to their duty,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Godwin Onwe, a lawyer said that the governor had an option of appeal and would remain the governor until the last appeal was heard on the matter by the Supreme Court.

    “Though the Federal High Court has sacked the governor by its pronouncement; however, Umahi remains the governor of Ebonyi, because he has the right of appeal even up to the Supreme Cour,” he said.

    TNG reports the situation in Abakaliki and its environs remained calm and peaceful in spite of the judgement against the governor.

    The Governor was sack by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC)

    Mr John Okoro, a resident in Abakaliki said the ruling sacking Umahi was not in the interest of Ebonyi people.

    Okoro, a Political Analysist, described Umahi as a good leader and urged the court to reverse the ruling in favour of Umahi.

    “Does it mean that we will not have Governor at this period the nation is prepping for the 2023 elections.

    “I am not happy over the sack. Gov Umahi has done so much good for his people. The sack is not good, especially now that he is getting set to take presidential position,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Simbad Chidi, Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has described the sack as “disturbance to democracy” in the state.

    “Today’s ruling in Abuja cannot overruled the State High Court that upheld his defection to APC already. The ruling is unacceptable,” he said.

    Joy Onu, a civil servant, said he was not happy over the ruling saying that the governor had done a lot for the people of Ebonyi.

  • UPDATE: Lawmakers affected as court fires Umahi, Deputy from office for unlawful defection

    UPDATE: Lawmakers affected as court fires Umahi, Deputy from office for unlawful defection

    Some lawmakers in Ebonyi State were affected by the court ruling that sacked the Governor of the State, Dave Umahi, and his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Umahi, his Deputy and the lawmakers were fired from office by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

    They were sacked on account of their unlawful defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The court declared their defection unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and ordered them to immediately vacate their offices.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a separate judgment in a suit by the PDP on Tuesday, ordered the Speaker of the House of Assembly and his co-defectors to immediately stop parading themselves as members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

    He held that the votes that brought them to office belonged to the PDP and that the legislators cannot hold on to the votes having elected to defect from the party that nominated them.

    Justice Ekwo also held that the votes cast for PDP in the 2019 election are not transferable to the APC that failed in the election.

    It restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing or according any recognition to them as elected members of the House of Assembly.

    Justice Ekwo ordered that all monies collected from the top period of their defection to the judgment date must be recovered from them.

    TNG reports some of the lawmakers affected include Odefa Obasi Odefa, Victor Chukwu, Kingsley Ikoro, Joseph Ununu, Nkemka Okoro, among others.

    Justice Ekwo had, on Jan. 19, fixed today for the judgment in the suit filed by the PDP against the governor and his deputy.

    Sixteen (16) lawmakers, including the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly were affected.

  • BREAKING: Dave Umahi sacked from office as Governor, Deputy affected

    BREAKING: Dave Umahi sacked from office as Governor, Deputy affected

    The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi and his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe have been sacked from office, following their defection to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday sacked Umahi and his Deputy following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that the total number of 393, 042 votes governor Umahi secured during the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Ebonyi state, belonged to the PDP and same could not be legally transferred to the APC.

    According to the court, having defected to the APC, both Umahi and his deputy, not only jettisoned the PDP, but also the votes that belonged to it.

    It held that going by the outcome of the governorship election, the office of the governor and deputy governor in Ebonyi state, “belong to the Plaintiff and no other politcal party”.

    “There is no constitutional provision that made the ballot transferrable from one party to the other”.

    It held that the PDP is bound to retain the votes and mandate that was given to it by electorates in Ebonyi state, as both governor Umahi and his Deputy could not validly transfer same to APC.

    The court therefore ordered both Umahi and Igwe to immediately vacate their positions.

    It ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately receive from the PDP, names of persons to replace Umahi and his Deputy, or in the alternative, conduct fresh gubernatorial election in Ebonyi state in line with section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    The court further restraining both Umahi and Igwe from further parading themselves as governor or deputy governor of Ebonyi state.

    The judgement followed a suit the PDP ldged before the court.

  • Ebonyi Assembly not a rubber stamp – Umahi

    Ebonyi Assembly not a rubber stamp – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi says the state House of Assembly is always critical of his policies, hence cannot be described as a rubber stamp.
    Umahi said this on Thursday in Abakaliki while signing the 2022 appropriation bill into law.
    He said that the house is knowledgeable in the art of lawmaking, contrary to the views held by some pepple.
    He said: “Anyone who thinks otherwise can go and try them and get floored.
    “The members are committed to moving the state forward and prepared at all times to make sacrifices, including calling off their recess anytime their attention was needed.
    Umahi said the state government would ensure the completion of its mega projects in 2022.
    Newsmen reports that the projects included the airport, stadium, flyovers and roads, amongst others.
    “We intend to make the state university move to a one campus structure to enable the new University of Aeronautics to use the Presco campus as a temporary site.
    “The new University for Information Communication Technology will also use the College of Agricultural Sciences campus as temporary site,” the governor said.
    Umahi also said that the government would employ at least 5,000 civil servants and empower 10,000 citizens from various sectors of the state.
    The Speaker of the house, Francis Nwifuru, commended the governor for ensuring the prudent management of the state’s resources.
    “We are happy to report that the 2021 budget had over70 per cent implementation, which had helped in the overall development of the state.
    “We interfaced with relevant government agencies in reviewing the budget and would always collaborate with other arms of government to make the state better,” Nwifuru said.
    Newsmen reports that the state government appropriated N145.4 billilion for the fiscal year.

  • Fani-Kayode confesses: How I facilitated defection of Ayade, Umahi, Matawalle; lists three more PDP govs joining APC soon

    Fani-Kayode confesses: How I facilitated defection of Ayade, Umahi, Matawalle; lists three more PDP govs joining APC soon

    Former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The former PDP chieftain was introduced to President Muhammadu Buhari as the newest member of the ruling party on Thursday during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    He was led to the meeting with the President by the APC National Caretaker Committee Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, as well as Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State.

    The Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, was also present at the meeting to introduce Fani-Kayode.

    Shortly after meeting with President Buhari, the new APC member had a session with State House correspondents where he claimed responsibility for the defection of three PDP governors who joined the ruling party – Governor Matawalle (Zamfara), as well as Governor David Umahi (Ebonyi) and Governor Ben Ayade (Cross River).

    Fani-Kayode, a former spokesman for the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, said he was instrumental in the events that led to the defection of the three governors.

    He told State House correspondents that he had been a founding member of the APC and simply returned to the ruling party for the unity of the country.

    The former minister revealed that he was equally wooing three more governors in the main opposition party to join the ruling party.

    He listed them to include Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Governor Ifeanyi Uguanyi of Enugu State.

    He said whatever opinion anyone may have about his credibility, as a result of his constant change of parties, was up to them.

    Fani-Kayode, a lawyer, used to be a strong critic of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    He was the Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 2003 and 2006.

    Also in 2006, the new APC member served as the Minister of Culture and Tourism for a few months before he was later appointed as the Minister of Aviation later that year.

  • There won’t be bickering over choice of my successor –Umahi

    There won’t be bickering over choice of my successor –Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, on Sunday, said that there will not be any bickering over the choice of his successor in 2023.

    Umahi stated this at Christ Embassy Church, Abakaliki, during a special thanksgiving service to mark his 58th birthday.

    The governor expressed confidence that anytime he called leaders in the state to choose his successor, there would not by any fight.

    “There will, however, be fight when I single-handedly choose the person who will succeed me.

    “Anyone who wants to manipulate me should first manipulate God because He is the one that is protecting me,” he said.

    According to him, all genuine successes come from God, adding that anyone seeking to succeed him must depend on Him.

    “When you put all your faith in God and help the needy, you will have less time for distractions.

    “Everything happening in the state in terms of infrastructural development, among others, is not through man’s power but that of God,” he said.

    Umahi thanked God for allowing him to witness his 58th birthday and commended those who honoured him during the celebration.

    “I testify that prayers and the wonderful support from my family, religious leaders and well-wishers, among others, have made me achieve success in life.

    “We are committed to completing all on-going projects in the state and massively empowering our people before leaving office,” he said.

    Mrs Eunice Oyeyemi, who presided over the church service, urged people to impact positively in the lives of others for a better society.

    “People should appropriately utilise the opportunities to live fulfilled lives on earth,” she said.

    The service was attended by dignitaries, with prayers offered for the governor, his family, the state and the country.

  • BREAKING: Umahi appoints new Chief of Staff

    BREAKING: Umahi appoints new Chief of Staff

    Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, on Monday, approved the appointment of Chief Samuel Okoronkwo as his new Chief of Staff (CoS), Government House.

    The appointment was contained in a statement issued by Secretary to State Government (SSG), Dr Kenneth Ugbala, and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki.

    Okoronkwo, who was the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs until his new appointment, replaced Mrs Queen Agwu, who was relieved of her position recently.

    The statement, which said that the appointment was with immediate effect, extended the governor’s felicitations to the new appointee.

    “Gov. Dave Umahi has approved the appointment of Chief Samuel Okoronkwo as Chief of Staff, Government House, Ebonyi.

    The appointment is with immediate effect,” it stated.

  • How unpatriotic acts by Nigerian leaders fuel crime – Ebonyi Governor

    How unpatriotic acts by Nigerian leaders fuel crime – Ebonyi Governor

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Police to invite politicians and other Nigerians who make ‘unsubstantiated statements’ on social media to ignite violence.

    The governor made the statement on Thursday on a monitored Channels Television programme.

    “The level of crimes in the country is as a result of unpatriotic acts of a lot of us. We, leaders, we come out on television and then we speak, indict other regions, we speak against other regions, we pick on the leader of the country and then castigate the leader of the country. There is no patriotism at all.

    “The way to prevent this thing is that if you are making unsubstantiated statements in the social media, the police, the SSS, you should be invited to explain and this is no politics because the country cannot fold our hands and allow people to plunge the country into another war. This is very important,” Umahi said.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governor noted that these unpatriotic comments are capable of inciting division and might eventually plunge the country into a crisis or lead to war.

    “I was told that one of the world wars started with a family quarrel and so if you are making a statement on social media calling it freedom of speech, you must come to the law to substantiate it.

    “What I have in the (Ebonyi) State, the communal clash now should have stopped but for the politicians who are making unguarded accusations and statements in the social media and then people outside the state will just cash on that and emotions will arise and the problem will continue.”

  • COVID-19: Gov. Umahi orders another fumigation of public places in Ebonyi

    COVID-19: Gov. Umahi orders another fumigation of public places in Ebonyi

    Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered fumigation public institutions in the state to contain the spread of COVID-19.

    This is contained in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezurike on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

    Umezurike said that the fumigation will last for three days, commence on Jan. 13 and ending on Jan. 15.

    He named some of the places to be fumigated to include old and new Government House, Executive Council Chambers, Judiciary Premises, Centenary City Secretariat, security agencies quartres, legislative premises and markets.

    “The State Government has increased the testing capacity for COVID-19 in the state and we appeal to anyone who has signs of COVID-19 or malaria to report at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA-II) or Onicha General Hospital for testing.

    “Effective from Jan. 21, burials and public gathering except markets and religious centres shall be limited to not more than 50 people, facemasks must be worn and COVID-19 protocol maintained.

    “We plead to our religious leaders to limit hours of service to not more than two hours, wear facemasks and observe COVID-19 protocols during worship, testing and treatment for COVID-19 is free,” he said.

    He said that the measures were put in place to protect the people from COVID-19 pandemic.

    The commissioner said that it was an offence for private hospitals to carry out tests for COVID-19, or treat COVID-19 patients in the state as the government has enough facilities to offer such services free of charge.