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Tag: Umahi

  • Fresh PDP formed by nonentities – Umahi

    Chief Austin Umahi, the National Vice-Chairman (South East) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says newly formed splinter group under the banner of “Fresh PDP” could be a distraction from opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to destabilise PDP

    Umahi stated that aggrieved members of Fresh PDP just want to be noticed as they don’t have anything, stressing that voting was not influenced by unity list as nobody was forced to vote.

    He told Sun that the party was repositioned to regain power, thereby will not be distracted by mere propaganda from nonentities who possibly could be from opposition party, APC.

    “The election was the most transparent, freest convention since the inception of the PDP in 1998 and I must commend the electoral panel. I must commend Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; the 11 governors of the PDP, and everyone that participated in that election.

    “My dear brother, the truth of the matter is that the PDP is repositioned. And what is repositioning? It is about re-engineering, it is about rebranding, and it is about getting it right where we have missed it. And I can assure you that the successful convention is a big plus and it has jumpstarted us because as we are talking today we have hit the ground running.

    “Well, those are the people that want to be noticed. First and foremost, those of them that answer Igbo names; whether they are Hausa and they are bearing Igbo names I do not know, but I had to contact each and every one of them. I wanted to know the reasons for this kind of attitude. And I saw that everything was geared towards ‘notice me.’ They just wanted recognition. They don’t have anything.

    “In a contest, you must have victor and of course, people that will lose. When you are going into a contest, it is options of you win, or you lose. So having lost an election that was the best election ever; people were satisfied with the conduct. Come to think of the Unity List, at the age of 18 nobody forced me to vote where I wanted to vote. It was something very clear. Yes! It is possible that I could be given a name but is an option. When I enter inside that polling booth I vote the person I want to vote because I am an adult.

    “So, the way and manner I voted should not trouble anybody. That’s the way my conscience has directed me. And the people voted. What is democracy? It is all about the people. What is the splinter? I see the splinter as charlatans; I see them as people that want to be noticed. And I feel so sad because I saw some South Eastern persons involved. We are not known for that kind of hooliganism. But it is unfortunate that they are Abuja gorilla politicians. They are not politicians from South East. We don’t know them and they don’t know their wards. Ask them the names of their wards and their chairmen, they won’t know. They just stay at Wadata and make noise.

    “Yes! There is a possibility that All Progressives Congress (APC) might be using these individuals to destabilise the newly reformed PDP but the most important thing is that if you know that you are, for example, going to Abakaliki and you know the road to it, you must focus on your mission and avoid distractions. The most important thing is that PDP is repositioned; it is repositioned to regain power.

    “Those things, we see them as distractions. We are not going to be perturbed because the class of these people that are making this noise, I see them as nonentities. They are the people that when you go to their wards you won’t see their names. Yes! It could be hijacked by the ruling party but the most important thing is that we are not giving them recognition. We are forging ahead because we know our destination and we are focused. We cannot be distracted.

    “I have to tell you the truth. First and foremost, as a zone, all the people that contested the election, before the election, we as a zone invited them. We said ‘come let us reason together as brothers because we, from the East, are wise and reasonable people.’ We said ‘let us agree and discuss as brothers’ and then know what belongs to who so that we don’t go to Abuja as house that is not united. That was exactly what we did.

    “We just finished our convention and all of a sudden they want to start seeking unnecessary notice. We have provision to see each and every one of them. We want to accommodate them. The umbrella is too big and large to accommodate them. If they decide to come back today, we will welcome them but if they continue to display this level of rascality, we will not hesitate to sack them if they are at all members of our party.

    “I have called the chairmen of the PDP in Imo and Abia States and asked them to find out if these people are real. If they don’t retract that the statement they made in Abuja within 48 hours, we will not hesitate to sack them from the party and we will forge ahead as a stronger party. We want to strengthen this PDP. We want high level of discipline. There is no room for rascals again.

    “In politics, what matters most is interest. You get your interests negotiated. What is the South East negotiating for? Are we ready for the presidency?
    I continue to tell people that the united we are, the better for us. Power is not given but taken. You go and take power. You negotiate right but you must have to see a united front. You must have to see people that are dogged and determined. We must have to see people that are focused. When we get to the bridge, we cross it. The issue remains that we are very much interested in repositioning the party. When the time to share offices come, we will discuss it. And I assure you that the south east under my leadership will not be relegated in Jesus name”, he said.

  • South east governors to meet on PDP chairmanship candidate: Umahi

    South East governors belonging to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party will meet soon to decide on a consensus candidate for the chairmanship of their party.

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state disclosed the planned meeting, but he did not indicate the date it would take place.

    He spoke in Abakaliki on Tuesday, during the vote-seeking visit of Chief Raymond Dokpesi, one of the candidates for the chairmanship post.

    The PDP will hold its convention on 9 December in Port Harcourt, and also fill party vacancies.

    Dokpesi who called upon Ebonyi people to support him, gave an assurance that as the chairman of the party, he would sustain the legacy of the party’s founding fathers and that of Governor David Umahi.

    He addressed the party’s 41st State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, held at the secretariat of the party in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    Dokpesi acknowledged PDP’s dominance in the state and endorsed Governor Umahi for a second term, to enable him complete his projects.

    “Based on our confidence, our faith is in the hands of God and the delegates,”Dokpesi said.

    Umahi who introduced Dokpesi to the meeting said he is qualified to be the party’s national chairman. But he gave no further commitment.

    “In the past we have voted blindly but now our eyes are open to seek negotiation with everyone aspiring, so as to agree on what he will do for us. What ever the zone comes up with, we will let you know”, Umahi said.

    “The commitment and zeal of the aspirant who is going round 36 States of the federation to ask for vote is highly commendable. I am one of the apostles who will not give power to anyone that is not prepared, “Umahi added.

  • Umahi inspects school, suspends head teacher, 7 others for absenteeism

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi on Friday suspended Mr Augustine Eze, Headmaster, Community Primary School, Amazu, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state and seven other teachers for absenteeism.

    Umahi who paid an unscheduled visit to the school directed the suspended teachers to report to the Chairman of the local government, Mr Henry Eze.

    He further directed that the council chairman should refer them to the Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education, (UBEB) for more disciplinary actions.

    He gave N300,000 cash to the 15 teachers present during the visit to change their wardrobe, expressing dissatisfaction with the way they dressed.

    The governor engaged them in an academic exercise, drilling them in English Language and Mathematics.

    He condemned the nonchalant attitude of some civil servants in Ebonyi and warned that the State Government would no longer tolerate the conduct of workers who were not committed to the duties.

    “It is very unfortunate the way and manner some of our civil servants do their jobs without passion.

    “We have called for change in our attitude to and perception of what we refer to as government property.

    “It is absurd that pupils will be in the school and the school headmaster and teachers will brazenly absent.

    “We shall not take this anymore and the headmaster and the absentee teachers are hereby suspended.

    “They are directed to report to the chairman of the local government area who will take them to the UBEB chairman; they must be transferred after serving their suspension,” Umahi said.

    He urged the teachers present during his visit to double their efforts and use the money he gave them to buy new clothes and look neat and smart before their pupils.

     

  • Bring it on! Probes are not new to me – Elechi fires back Umahi

    Former governor of Ebonyi, Chief Martin Elechi has said he was ready for probe by his successor, Governor David Umahi, alleging that he had been under investigation since 2015.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Umahi had on Saturday in Abakaliki, threatened to probe his former boss’ administration of 2007 – 2015, for “massive financial malpractices”.

    Umahi had stated that he had covered his predecessors ‘sins’ enough and would publish the details of the probe in newspapers and other media channels.

    He accused his former boss, who he served as deputy governor, for failing to pay past leaders, including the Minster of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, their pensions and severance allowances.

    The governor faulted Elechi for ‘crying’ over non-payment of his pensions “when he failed to pay pensioners in the state since 2009.

    But Elechi told newsmen in Abakaliki on Thursday that the governor had been probing him and his two sons since 2015.

    “I handed over to Umahi on May.29, 2015, participated in his thanksgiving service on June 7, 2015, but received a letter of summon from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 9, 2015.

    “The petitions, which EFCC sources said were more than 50, were written by the present Ebonyi government through the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    “We visited the anti-graft agency regularly since and the last time I visited there in May 2016, I was shown a later from the Attorney- General where I was accused of several financial malpractices,” he said.

    Elechi said that the petitioners’ allegations against him included his government’s involvement in the establishment of the state cement, oil and gas, rice production companies, among others.

    “I gave my own side of the story and presented copies of the same petition which the attorney-general issued me in November, 2015 over the same alleged offences.

    “It is then clear that Umahi must not be saying that he will probe me but say that he will continue from where he stopped with the probe since 2015.

    “When I rejected the car offer Umahi made to me over these issues, he denied that his government had hands in the probe and I consider this statement as a lie.

    “There is no way Umahi will not be aware of a probe instituted by the Attorney-General of his government.

    “One of my sons is currently facing a court trial instituted by Umahi’s government.

    “I am not running away from Umahi’s probe. I have survived five different probes when Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s administration was toppled, having served in the East-Central state administration.

    “I faced two judicial and three administrative boards of inquiry, was arrested three times by the police and had two suits filed against me at the Enugu High Court, all within that period.

    “All these fizzled because I was not found culpable and there was no way I would be afraid of probe presently, especially when it was ongoing,” he said.

    The former governor noted that his government earmarked N10 million monthly to offset pensions all through his administration and the public could verify from the office of the state Accountant-General.

    “The circular over the payment entitlement of past leaders was issued by the Federal Government and Onu’s own payment was supposed to be made by the Abia government, as the governor of the old Abia.

    “Umahi has the right to feel bad that I failed to support him to succeed me, but I don’t regret my actions and he should not see me as problem of his administration,” he said.

     

     

     

  • I’ll probe your eight-year administration as Ebonyi Governor, Umahi tells former boss, Elechi

    …Go ahead, i’m unperturbed, Elechi tells Governor Umahi

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has vowed to probe the eight years (2007-2015) tenure of his predecessor and former boss, Chief Martin Elechi.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Umahi served as the deputy governor during Elechi’s second tenure as governor.
    Umahi who spoke in Abakaliki while interacting with newsmen in Abakaliki, said that he would publish the details of the probe on the pages of newspapers.

    According to Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, he had shielded his former boss enough from the enormous monumental financial fraud he committed during his administration.

    “I am aware of the petition filed against me by the opposition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and I will invite the anti-graft agency to investigation every detail of it.

    “I will also submit the financial details of the state from 2015 till date to the EFCC for proper auditing as the commission had
    investigated our usage of the Paris Club refund three times and found us free of any wrong doing,” he said.

    The governor noted that he was paying Elechi his pension out of human feeling, because he did not deserve to be paid having failed to pay others.

    “Elechi was not paid for just one month and he started crying everywhere and the same person failed to pay pensioners their pensions all through his administration.

    “We are currently paying pensions and severance allowances backdated to 2009 as Elechi did not pay the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnia Onu, his severance allowance as a former governor,” he said.

    He explained that a law was made during Elechi’s administration to pay Onu and others, but Elechi vehemently refused to implement the law.

    “I remember meeting the state’s Attorney General who was the House of Assembly Speaker at that time inside Elechi’s office and the issue of Onu’s payment was being discussed.

    “The speaker asked Elechi what should be done about it as it was in his hands, but he said that the matter should be forgotten.

    “Elechi and Onu are now friends, but my government would not be distracted because the opposition’s desires to continue looting the state’s treasury,” he said.

    He noted that his administration has gotten interest of over N2billion from fixing unused funds in fixed deposit accounts with that
    of the Paris Club refund, generating over N300million.

    “Elechi should tell the people which amount he fixed for the state’s benefit as his administration fixed funds in private accounts with the interests accruing to them,” he said.

    In his reaction, Elechi spokesperson and his former Commissioner for Education, Mr Ndubisi Agbo, described Umahi’s allegations against his boss as frivolous.

    According to Agbo, it was not the first time the governor was making the threat of probing Elechi and wondered why he had not done so since.

    “I am stating without fear or favour that my principal is neat and free of all allegations, as he has no skeleton in his cupboard.

    “Elechi is not perturbed with Umahi’s gimmicks as he has sponsored over 50 petitions against him without any iota of truth established.

    “It is unfortunate that he can say such things against a man he publicly calls a father even inside the church and this is in public knowledge,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Elechi parted ways with his former deputy as he did not support Umahi’s governorship ambition. Elechi’ men decamped to Labour Party when Umahi emerged Ebonyi PDP governorship flag bearer.


    TheNewsGuru.com reports that after Umahi’s victory in 2015, Elechi decamped to APC.

     

     

     

     

  • Release 180 Ebonyi indigenes incarcerated in Lagos prisons, Umahi begs Ambode

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has called on the Lagos State Government to unconditionally release 180 Ebonyi indigenes, incarcerated in Lagos for engaging in hawking.

    Umahi made the call on Thursday in Abakaliki, when he received a delegation of Ebonyi indigenes residing in Onitsha, Anambra, who visited him over the plight of its indigenes in the town and across the country.

    Umahi represented by his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, noted that the government received with dismay, the gory ordeals of the victims as narrated by the Ebonyi Development Association in Lagos.

    “The 180 victims were accused of contravening a law of the Lagos Government on street trading, but the intriguing aspect is that they had been incarcerated before the law was enacted.

    “Most of them had spent over two years in incarceration before the law was enacted, but they were unfortunately charged under the same law.

    “I will immediately consult and interact with my Lagos counterpart to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the victims,” he said.

    The governor remarked that the days of treating Ebonyi citizens as second-class citizens in the country were over, as the government would extend its empowerment schemes to its indigenes residing across the country.

    “The government would immediately procure over 130 tricycles to enable hawkers of Ebonyi origin in Onitsha and environs, quit the trade and be gainfully employed.

    “We would accommodate over 20 indigenes in Onisha in our empowerment scheme, which would offer them a grant of N250, 000 each, to quit street trading and be gainfully employed.

    “The beneficiaries would cut across the 13 local government areas of the state and would consist of 50 per cent male and 50 per cent females.

    “The empowerment scheme would be extended to over 300 indigenes in Anambra and would subsequently accommodate those in states such as Abia, Kano, Lagos, among others,” he said.

    Mr Mathew Njoku, leader of the delegation and the Governor’s Senior Technical Assistant, Onitsha Liaison Office, thanked the governor for the reception and pledged to contribute its quota in the state’s development.

    “We thank you for graciously including Ebonyi indigenes in Onitsha and across the country in your empowerment schemes because it would help eradicate the humiliating experiences they undergo while hawking and engaging in other menial jobs.

    “Ebonyi indigenes are ranked among the most successful exporters of goods in Onitsha, and are willing to transfer such business acumen to enhance the state’s economy,” he said.

    Njoku also pledged that the state’s indigenes in Onitsha would support the governor’s second term bid and also his future political ambition.

     

     

    NAN

  • ‘Buhari’s recovery is a miracle’ – Umahi

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State last night described the recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari as “a miracle” given reports on his health in the social media. He said the social media portrayed the President’s health as “bad”.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Umahi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke after the visit of seven governors to the President in London.

    Others on the team are: Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Abdulahhi Ganduje (Kano), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

    The delegation had lunch with the President at Abuja House, Nigeria’s official residence in London.

    President’s wife Aisha, was with him to receive the delegation. Ortom’s wife, Eunice was also in attendance.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Buhari had on Sunday, hosted the APC’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, other party leaders and some governors elected on the platform of the APC inside the Abuja House in London, United Kingdom.

    Umahi told the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network news at 9am that he was “excited” to see the president in a good frame of mind adding that he was grateful to God that the prayer of Nigerians for the president’s recovery had been heard.

    Ganduje said the President was in a good state of health. “We believe he will soon be back to Nigeria.”

    In a tweet under the photograph of the visit, Ajimobi said: “My counterparts, the governors’ forum delegation and I were warmly received by His Excellency President @MBuhari in London, United Kingdom.

    Another governor in the delegation said the President cracked jokes with the delegation without any speech inhibition.

    He said: “Buhari walked without support to receive us and he took time to exchange pleasantries with each one of us. We also had a group photograph.”

    “His voice was the usual intonation and he has no speech inhibition in whatsoever manner. He was overwhelmed by our visit.

    “He told us that he is ready to come back to his desk once clearance is given by his doctors.

    “We compared notes on the state of the nation and the tasks ahead.

    “The signs of recovery were visible but not overwhelming on him. He was looking healthier than when he came back the last time. Buhari is back to life.”

    It was gathered that the President’s official photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, was deployed in London in order to “take many shots and clear all doubts about his recuperation and fitness.”

    There were indications last night that the Northern Governors Forum( NGF) will meet today in Kaduna on the security challenges in the region and to review reports on the President’s health.

    “The insecurity in the North has relapsed, the Federal Government has to bail us out. This is one of the reasons why we are holding a session.

    “Some of us who were not in London will seize the opportunity to get status report on the health of the President.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that President Buhari traveled for medical check-up in London on Sunday, May 7, more than a month he came back into the country from a previous medical vacation.

  • Udom, Umahi, other PDP governors to visit Buhari in London today

    …as Fayose, Wike did not make the list

    Indications emerge on Monday that some governors elected on the platform of the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will on Tuesday (today) visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

    It was gathered that the visit was being organised by the office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (retd.).

    It was not clear if the NSA was responsible for the governors who were picked for the trip.

    According to a report by The Punch, the six governors were picked from the six geo-political zones of the country.

    Listed among the six governors are Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

    The four governors are from the South-South, South-East, North-West and South-West respectively.

    However, the identities of the two other governors, who are expected to come from the North-East and North-Central could not be verified

    A governor, who is not among those travelling to see Buhari, said those chosen for the journey were picked outside what he described as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

    He added that he was surprised when he heard about the journey from one of his counterparts, stating that if the secretariat and the governors had been contacted, the governors would have picked at least one of the PDP governors that had been critical of the President.

    He said, “Our colleagues are going to London to see the President. But I’m not happy that someone like the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, or his Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Nyesom Wike, is not on the delegation.

    “Though there are PDP governors on the delegation, we know ourselves and also know those we know are truly part of the opposition and those close to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    “The governors had been directed to be at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, tomorrow (Tuesday). From there, they will fly to the United Kingdom.”

    The governors are expected to have lunch with the President before returning to the country on Wednesday.

    A governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Monday night, confirmed that some governors mooted the idea, but said he would not want to speak on the planned visit.

    “Yes, they mentioned it (visit); some APC governors mooted the idea but I don’t want to say anything on that for now,” the governor stated.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Buhari on Sunday, hosted the APC’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, other party leaders and some governors elected on the platform of the APC inside the Abuja House in London, United Kingdom.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that President Buhari traveled for medical check-up in London on Sunday, May 7, more than a month he came back into the country from a previous medical vacation.

    Details later…