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Tag: Umahi

  • Tinubu will not leave out people like El-Rufai – Umahi

    Tinubu will not leave out people like El-Rufai – Umahi

    Former governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not leave ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State out of his government

    He stressed that due to his loyalty, El-Rufai will play a major role in Tinubu’s government despite his recent anti-Christian comments.

    Speaking with Arise TV, Umahi said: “So be assured that Mr. President is not going to leave out people like El-Rufai and the rest of us who worked very hard for him.

    “You can see his track records. He doesn’t betray anybody. So be very much assured that my good friend El-Rufai is going to play a major role.

    “I’m not speaking for Mr. President, but I’m speaking bearing in mind the character of him I know too well.”

  • Assembly members forfeited 3-years constituency project funds for Ebonyi Airport – Umahi

    Assembly members forfeited 3-years constituency project funds for Ebonyi Airport – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi says that members of the state House of Assembly forfeited their three-year constituency project funds for the completion of the state’s new international airport.

    Umahi made the disclosure during the test-run of flight operations at the airport christened Muhammadu Buhari international airport, at Onueke on Thursday.

    The governor stated that the assembly led by its Speaker, Chief Francis Nwifuru, made tremendous sacrifices for the actualisation of the airport, which he said cost N36 billion.

    “When we were seeking N10 billion to procure equipment for the airport, the speaker recalled the members who were on recess to approve the fund.

    “The members did not only approve the fund, they also forfeited their three-years constituency project funds to ensure the project is completed,” he said.

    He also expressed profound appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his ‘unquantified’ support towards the realisation of the airport.

    “The president approved the sum of N10 billion for the construction of the domestic and international wings of the airport.

    “When we were constrained on funds to procure equipment, he directed the ministry of finance to source funds for us even if it is a loan.

    “The airport is named after Buhari as approved by the state house of assembly and if you say he is not good to you, he is to me and Ebonyi.

    “We will continue loving him and before a fortnight, he will be in Ebonyi to inaugurate the project,” he said.

    He noted that the government would prevail on the federal government to take over the airport which had presently created over 500 jobs and concession it.

    “Government is a poor manager of resources but we are seriously interested in the revenue generated from the facility,” he said.

    Mr Oladipo Adebayo, a Representative of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority called on Ebonyi people to ensure the maintenance and protection of the airport’s facilities because it has “opened them to the world”.

    Chief Francis Nwifuru, Speaker of the state House of Assembly thanked God for the project and Umahi for his commitment towards actualising the project.

    Nwifuru, who is the state’s Governor-elect said that the governor had put him under severe pressure due to the monumental projects that he would inherit and maintain.

    Mr Collins Oti, a Representative of Air Peace airlines, which two aircraft landed at the airport, urged  the state’s incoming administration to fully maximise the airport’s potentials.

    Goodwill messages were delivered at the occasion by the immediate past state Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, representatives of the clergy, traditional institution among others.

  • “I retired permanent secretary who could not calculate gratuities” – Umahi

    “I retired permanent secretary who could not calculate gratuities” – Umahi

    “I retired a permanent secretary in the Ebonyi civil service prematurely because the official could not calculate civil servants’ gratuities,’’ Gov. David Umahi said on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

    Umahi made the declaration while swearing in new permanent secretaries and members of the state’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.

    “The deputy governor asked me to reverse the decision, but I declined and that will be his first request that I am not granting in the eight years that he had been deputy governor.

    “You can still give me the elements which make up the gratuity even if you don’t know how to calculate it,’’ he noted.

    Umahi said, however, that he might reverse the decision and urged the newly sworn-in officials to read widely; be prudent and magnify their offices.

    The governor noted that the issue of gratuity of civil servants in the state was worrisome.

    He observed that permanent secretaries in Ebonyi were among the best in the country and added that they should strive to maintain the Ebonyi standard.

    “We have raised a standard in Ebonyi that makes us compete with the best in the world.

    “Anyone who fails to meet the standard will be asked whether or not he comes from Ebonyi.

    “Set examinations for yourselves on performance because Ebonyi should not be your limits in exposure and proficiency.

    “The theory that helped me, which should also help you, is to regard public duties or services as your personal business,’’ he said.

    The governor said that he diligently understudied the Israelis and it helped him to attain engineering proficiency.

    “I was tutored in an Israeli firm in 1987 on a monthly salary of N650.

    “I listened to my mentors and though I have just a first degree in engineering, I can debate favourably with a professor in the field,’’ he said.

    Responding, Chief Sabinus Nwankwegu, Chairman of the Public Complaints and anti-Corruption Commission pledged to justify the confidence reposed in members by the governor.

  • I have nothing personal against Umahi – LP’s Okorie

    I have nothing personal against Umahi – LP’s Okorie

    Chief Linus Okorie, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the last general election on Wednesday said he had no personal grudges against Gov. David Umahi.

    He told NAN in Abakiliki that he was only pursuing his political ambitions.

    Umahi and Okorie were political allies until Okorie nursed the ambition to contest for the Senatorial seat on the platform of LP.

    They are currently engaged in a legal battle for the senatorial seat which was won by Umahi.

    Okorie had filed a petition at the election tribunal against Umahi’s declaration as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    However, Okorie’s action has not gone down well with Umahi who had expressed concern that one of his political allies was now challenging him.

    However, Okorie, while acknowledging the role Umahi has played in his politics, told NAN that he also played a role in Umahi’s emergence as a governor in 2015.

    “Umahi as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2010 was instrumental to my emergence as a House of Representatives member.

    “I, my family, and generations will always keep this in in mind; it can never be written off.

    “It should however be noted that from 2008, I and the Odefas built the structure on which he emerged as the party chairman, deputy governor and subsequently governor.

    “During my first stint at the House of Representatives, I had the privilege of having ears where it mattered,” he said.

    He told NAN that he raised the possibility of Umahi’s governorship in 2014 with the then Nigeria’s first family.

    “I had the chance to run for the governorship then but sacrificed the ambition due to my love and loyalty to him.

    “I fell out with him because he never wanted me to vie for the Senate as this cost me a return to the House of Representatives in 2019,” he alleged.

    Okorie said that in spite of the prevailing circumstances, he still loved and wished Umahi well.

    “I have benefitted tremendously from him but he has also benefited from me”, he said.

  • I didn’t know my family voted for Peter Obi – Umahi reveals

    I didn’t know my family voted for Peter Obi – Umahi reveals

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has revealed that his family voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party without his knowledge during the 2023 presidential election.

    He disclosed this on Monday during Channels Television’s interview.

    “In all honesty, I didn’t give any chance to the Labour Party to win any election in my State (Ebonyi State) because what we have put in place was such that no other political party should be able to win anything, not even Councilorship election in my State. I saw the Labour Party vote as a protest against my Party (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    “I was very surprised; even in my family, there was a conspiracy against me. I did not know that they voted for Peter Obi, but in the other election, they voted for APC because of what we’ve done in the State.

    “It was not a vote for His Excellency Peter Obi. As such, there is seemingly hardship and challenges in Nigeria”, Umahi said.

  • “I have never lost a battle” – Umahi reacts to senatorial victory

    “I have never lost a battle” – Umahi reacts to senatorial victory

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that he has never lost a “battle” in life as God always sees him through challenges and adversities.

    Umahi made the assertion on Tuesday in Abakaliki while officially reacting to his victory in the Ebonyi south senatorial district election held on Feb. 25.

    The governor said it could had been an albatross for people of the district if he was not elected because Nigerians could have asked questions.

    “The southern district should count itself lucky that I emerged because certain things are beyond politics.

    “What excuse could they have given for not sending me to the senate to further fight for them and the entire state.

    “Everyone in Nigeria has acknowledged the miracles in Ebonyi so why should the people not reciprocate with gratitude?” he queried.

    He, however, remarked that such upliftments were not by his power but God’s special grace upon him.

    “Whoever God has lifted cannot be brought down as he still taught me a lesson by allowing voting manipulations against me.

    “God showed that what I did in Ebonyi could not guarantee me victory but his special grace.

    “He allowed scheming to play out but still gave me victory at the end.

    “He taught me to depend wholly on Him and though I always do so, it seemed I haven’t done so enough,” he said.

    Umahi said in addition to the victory, the interest of Ebonyi is uppermost in his agenda.

    “I worked immediately after the election, currently prepared for work as I speak and will work till the last day in office.

    “It is what one has done for the people that will matter at the end and not the noise made,” he said.

  • APC is a big house, where small squabbles are possible, says Umahi

    APC is a big house, where small squabbles are possible, says Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a big house where small squabbles cannot be completely ruled out.

    Umahi made the remark on Monday during an interactive session with newsmen, while inspecting the ongoing work at the Ebonyi International Airport, Onueke.

    Umahi said he was not worried over any squabbles in the party, adding that APC was still poised to win overwhelmingly in the upcoming elections.

    He said: “In every big house, there are vessels of honour and dishonour and all of them work to the glory of God.

    “When there are no small squabbles, how do we tell the stories of our triumph.

    “God has set His table before those who want to destroy us so that
    His glory will be magnified.

    “I watched the APC rally in Borno and has never seen such a crowd.”

    The governor said that if it was God’s will, Sen. Bola Tinubu will be Nigeria’s next president.

    “I don’t know what God wants to do with him but he is set to answer the prayers of his people.

    “God is set to descend in His majesty on Nigeria because enough is enough,” he said.

    Umahi advised Nigerians not be deceived by the Muslim/Muslim ticket because God is for Christians and Muslims.

    “We have a Christian/Christian ticket in Ebonyi and in other places you have Muslim/Christian, Christian/Muslim tickets among others.

    “It is not the ticket that matters but the performance.

    “The contention on the same-faith ticket was just a way to deceive the people,” he said.

  • Umahi talks tough on spate of attacks, killings in Ebonyi

    Umahi talks tough on spate of attacks, killings in Ebonyi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has expressed worry over the incessant attacks and killings in the state by political thugs, warning those involved to desist from such unlawful and heinous acts.

    Umahi gave the warning on Sunday in Abakaliki during a state-wide Fasting and Prayer Service held by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and widows.

    The programme, in conjunction with Ebonyi State Government at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre in Abakaliki, was to pray towards the conduct of peaceful elections.

    The governor decried the growing spate of political violence in various communities, saying he would consider banning commercial motorcycle operations in the state.

    Umahi noted that there was need for security agencies to be furnishing the government with information in its effort to check instances of security breaches for action.

    According to him, all hands must be on deck, by council chairmen, traditional rulers and the residents to move Ebonyi forward by ensuring lasting peace and stability in the state.

    “I have learnt that most of the kilings are being carried out by motorcycle operators.

    “Well, for this, I may consider the banning of motorcycle anywhere in the state until after election,” the governor said.

    On cash crunch, he urged security agencies to ensure the safety of customers and financial institutions.

    Earlier, Rev Fr Abraham Nwali, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious and Welfare Matters, said there was a need for fasting and prayers for successful, peaceful and credible elections in the country.

    Nwali described peace as a great gift to humanity.

  • Umahi suspends Ebubeagu, inaugurates 2 new vigilance groups

    Umahi suspends Ebubeagu, inaugurates 2 new vigilance groups

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has suspended the operations of the state vigilance group, Ebubeagu, in deference to a Federal High Court ruling, which declared the security outfit as illegal.

    In its place, Umahi announced the setting up of two new vigilance outfits in the state.

    They are Ebonyi Neighborhood Watch and Ebonyi Vigilante Corps.

    A federal high court sitting in Abakaliki recently disbanded the Ebubeagu security outfit, ruling that its operations in Ebonyi were illegal.

    The state government through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Uchenna Orji,  however, said it would appeal the ruling.

    “The Ebubeagu security outfit will not function in the state until the stay of execution is granted and appeal entered.

    “This is in obedience to the rule of law; and whether it is good or bad for our people, it is the court’s judgement,” Umahi said.

    The governor recalled that a judgement from a court of equal jurisdiction had a month ago, restrained anyone from disbanding the Ebubeagu security outfit.

    “This means that I have two judgements on the same subject matter, as such the second one shouldn’t have been entertained due to an earlier decision on it.

    “I could have chosen which one to obey if I were not a lover of the judiciary, but has chosen to obey the latter.

    “When the stay of execution is granted, Ebubeagu will function again,” the governor said.

    He thanked the state House of Assembly for passing into law, two sets of vigilance outfits which processes commenced since 2021.

    “These outfits include the Ebonyi neighborhood watch patterned after such in Anambra and the Ebonyi vigilante corps patterned after Amotekun in the south west geo-political zone.

    “When Ebubeagu returns, they all should not infringe on the rights of the citizens.

    “None of them would be involved in the forthcoming general election and the public must note this,” he said.

    Umahi called on political parties in the state to carry out their activities with decorum and not heat up the polity as the election approaches.

    NAN reports that the broadcast was preceded by a security meeting between the governor and heads of security agencies in the state.

  • I’m qualified to head APC Campaign Council, says Umahi’s brother

    I’m qualified to head APC Campaign Council, says Umahi’s brother

    The Ebonyi Governor, Chief David Umahi’s younger brother, Austin, has said that he is eminently qualified to head the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in the state.

    The governor and his wife, Rachel, head the men and women wing of the council, respectively, while Austin is its Director General.

    He was reacting to public outcry over the fear about the possible overbearing influence his family would exact on the party’s Gubernatorial Candidate, Chief Francis Nwifuru, if elected.

    He dismissed the fear, saying that the governor merely replicated what obtained at the national level of the party, “in constituting the state’s campaign council”.

    He said: “The governor as a brother does not see my destiny and I have made sacrifices.

    “This sort of wicked insinuation made me not to occupy any position in the first and second tenure of this government.

    “All my siblings did not occupy positions but people are still writing.

    “I am exceedingly qualified to head the campaign council just as all its members are also qualified.

    “I am very close to Nwifuru as I am to the governor and was appointed his returning officer during the party’s primaries.

    “This will not be seen as overbearing because he appointed me and I am still going to be his returning officer at the polls.

    “I love him and must ensure he wins and if that is overbearing, let us achieve results,” Austin said.

    He said that the governor was not nursing any third term agenda because it is unconstitutional.

    “Such an insinuation is a product of junk journalism but ones legacies can outlive him.

    “The governor’s legacies would outlive him whether anyone likes it or not and it might be what people termed as third term,” he said.

    He further said that the party would win overwhelmingly because it had performed creditably to earn the people’s trust.