From Obinna Ezugwu
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Chief Abia Onyike, has issued a scathing statement against the Minister of Works, David Umahi, accusing him of undue interference in the governance and political affairs of the state, and calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
In a press release recently, Onyike, a former commissioner for information in the state, said, “I wish to appeal to His Excellency, the President of Nigeria, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call his Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, to order over his overbearing activities and excessive tendencies in the public affairs of Ebonyi State.”
He alleged that Umahi, a former governor of the state, had become “a meddlesome interlopper in the affairs of the administration of the state and the affairs of the ruling party.”
Onyike expressed concern about what he described as Umahi’s continued grip on power, stating, “As a member of the Party, I am worried that Umahi’s excessive love for power has made him to forget that there can be no two captains in a ship.” He added, “Ebonyians elected Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to occupy the exalted position of Governor. The intention of the electorate was not that power should be shared.”
The APC stalwart further criticized the minister’s frequent presence in the state, saying, “Umahi spends more time in Abakaliki than in Abuja and tends to meddle into issues of governance and leadership as if he occupies any elective office in the state. He should respect himself and know his limits.”
On internal party matters, Onyike accused Umahi of undermining established processes, stating, “In the on-going political transition programme, Umahi is behaving as if the state has become part of his private trading company.” He continued, “When the Leader of the party in the state gives directives on how things should be done, Umahi turns himself into a bully and begins to give contrary directives.”
Citing past political conduct, Onyike said, “In 2010, when he was the State Chairman of PDP, he propounded the idea that he was the highest political office holder in Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone.” He added, “When the then Deputy Governor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu hosted a meeting… he (Umahi) queried Ogbu and lambasted him for calling a meeting without reference to him.”
He also referenced Umahi’s tenure as deputy governor, saying, “When he (Umahi) became the Deputy Governor to former Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, he saw himself as supreme and lorded it over Prince Ugorji Ama Oti.”
Onyike further alleged that Umahi was disrupting current party arrangements, stating, “He recently went to the extent of inciting party members to purchase and fill out forms even after the party leadership had organized and moderated consensus arrangements to ensure order, equity and decorum in power sharing in the state.”
He warned the minister against overstepping his bounds, saying, “Umahi should be reminded that he is no longer the Governor of the state… he should respect our constitutional democracy and restrain himself from political abuses which undermine democratic ethos.”
In a strong political warning, Onyike declared, “Let me give Umahi a quit notice now. I will join forces with like minds in Ebonyi State to make sure he is not reappointed a Minister in 2027.” He added, “If by any means he is appointed again, I will petition to the National Assembly and lead a protest to stop him.”
Making further allegations, Onyike said, “Umahi uses public office to oppress people.” He also claimed, “When I showed interest for the Senate in 2019, Umahi collected #300,000,000 (three hundred million Naira) and sold out the ticket.”
On his own political ambition, Onyike stated, “Somebody told me that Umahi is against my aspiration to the House of Reps… He suggested I should go to Uburu and beg him. I refused to do that. I don’t believe that my destiny lies in Umahi’s hands.”
Reaffirming support for the current administration, he said, “I believe that Gov Nwifuru had all the capacities and humane considerations to provide leadership and I stand by the decision of the party.”
Onyike urged Umahi to respect the collective views of the people, stating, “Let Umahi respect the collective views of Ebonyi Stakeholders and stop insisting on recolonizing Afikpo and Edda even while out of elective office.”
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