The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Umahi

  • Umahi alleges plot to bomb Ebonyi lNEC offices

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi on Thursday alleged plans by some desperate politicians to import thugs to bomb some local government offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Umahi disclosed this during a live security situation briefing to the people of the state.

    He said: “I have been told that there are plans to bomb lNEC local government offices.”

    He said security agencies have been informed and have beefed up security in all INEC facilities in the state

    The governor frowned at the outbreak of violence, characterised by burning houses and killings at Mkpuma Akpatakpa in Abaja community of Izzi local government area, promising that perpetrators would be fished out and brought to book.

    He further condemned the attack on Ikwo local government area Vice Chairman, Mrs. Regina Iteshi who was attacked by hoodlums.

    According to the governor, the thugs inserted objects into her private part and cut the tendons of some of the people with her.

    He promised that the perpetrators must be punished.

    “My major concern is that we have free and a fair election on Saturday. There were few things we noticed on 15th February that were not in the character of Ebonyi people.

    “Inserting objects in the private parts of the vice chairman of Ikwo. Justice may be delayed but the law must take its full course.

    “Yesterday, I visited Izzi and saw the faces of defenseless father and mother whose son was killed and their houses burnt down.

    “All those who participated in the killing of the young man and burning of houses will never go scot-free.

    “Politicians are behind the killings and burning down of houses. My promise to all the victims, the young man that was killed and six others injured, all those behind it must be brought to book.

    “I appeal that there should be no reprisal attack. I have ordered that anybody that wants to kill our people should be shot at sight.

    “People must be allowed to exercise their right and vote for whom they want to vote for. I promised that if there is no reprisal attack, after the election, I will start the process of building the burnt houses.

    “Lives of Ebonyians are very important to us than positions and election. And anyone that takes the lives of others such will follow them to their fifth generation. Ebonyians must be alert and demobilize anybody that is parading thugs with police escort.

    The governor also had some warnings for INEC officers in the state.

    “Let me also warn INEC. I learnt that certain political party wants to cancel election. That they will go from polling booth to another killing people.

    “If you are INEC worker, discharge your duty according to the electoral law. I have asked the youths and Ebonyians to resist any INEC officials that wants to compromise. I learnt that collation officers are meeting, saying they nominated this and that.”

  • Another Ebonyi governorship candidate steps down for Umahi

    Ebonyi State Governorship candidate of the Advanced Allied Party (AAP), Ogbonnaya Okorie has stepped down for the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Governor David Umahi.

    The development came barely one week after the state Governorship candidate of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Hon. Ozuma Peter also stepped down for Umahi.

    Briefing newsmen in Abakaliki, Okorie declared that he has resigned his membership of Advanced Allied Party to throw his support and supporters to join the PDP in the reelection of Umahi on March 9.

    Okorie noted that all the leadership and executive of his former party, AAP, were in full support of his decision to pitch tent with Umahi and PDP.

    He added that the decision was informed by the achievements of the Umahi’s administration and the need to support in his quest to develop all sectors of the state economy.

    Okorie said that the Governor has demonstrated uncommon leadership and there was no need to change the winning team, noting that everybody must not be Governor at the same time

    “After wide consultations and in consideration of the achievements of the incumbent Governor, Engr. David Umahi, I have resigned my membership of my party, Advanced Allied Party (AAP) and to throw my support and supporters to join the PDP”.

    “I was never forced or cornered to join the PDP, rather it was my own decision backed by evidence of the leadership the Governor has provided. In the cause of my debate with the Governor, he did promise to give me N10 million for my election and I, hereby urge the governor to add the money in his campaign while I will make my personal donation towards the election of Governor David Umahi come March 9, 2019”.

    Okorie therefore called on other governorship candidates of other political parties to join hands in ensuring the emergence of Umahi on the poll as he has shown that he is the best among equal.

  • Ebonyi traditional rulers endorse Buhari, Umahi

    The Ebonyi Council of Traditional Rulers on Wednesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari will get the support of many voters in Ebonyi state during the February 16th Presidential elections.

    The traditional rulers also endorsed the state Governor, David Umahi for a second term.

    This is even as President Buhari expresses satisfaction that the impact of federal government projects were being felt in Ebonyi State.

    Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Charles Mkpuma, said Buhari is loved by the people because of the robust relationship he has with governor Umahi despite the fact that they belong to different parties.

    They said that this will translate to more votes for the president on election day.

    They gave the assurance during an audience with the President at the Ebonyi State Government House In Abakaliki.

    Mkpuma who commended Buhari’s determination to tackle the security situation of the country especially in his efforts in tackling terrorism and fight against corruption said Buhari was deserving of their votes irrespective of party differences.

    The monarch who spoke on behalf of 140 traditional rulers in the state said the President has done well in the fight against Boko Haram and second corruption.

    “We appreciate your dogged determination to maintain utmost security of the country especially your effort in eliminating Boko Haram and fight against corruption which has brought respect and integrity to the country among committee of nations.

    “We believe that your robust relationship with our son the governor and your loved for him and the state will surely earn you votes in Ebonyi state irrespective of party differences.”, the monarch said.

    Mkpuma, said the traditional rulers are happy with the leadership of the governor, David Umahi, who has virtually touched every facet of human and infrastructural development of the state, adding “we the traditional rulers like other residents of the state have been rejuvenated and revived by the governor.

    They told the President that Umahi deserves a second term for the sake of equity as the two former governors before him from other zones also had two tenures.

    “Since the inception of the present democratic dispensation, Ebonyi state has operated rotation of the governorship seat among the three senatorial zones. Thus North had eight years with the same man, central had two terms with same man and south is entitled to eight years with the same man.

    “It is right and proper that tradition should continue. This is why we have endorsed incumbent governor David Umahi whose performance has been historic and superlative as the sole candidate for 2019 gubernatorial election in Ebonyi state. We are happy with the governor. He has touched every facet of human and infrastructural development of the state”, Mpkuma said.
    The monarchs later presented 1,000 yams and 1,000 bags to Buhari.

    President Buhari, on his part, commended the governor for infrastructural development in the state.

    He promised that monies spent on the completion of the federal projects will be refunded after the review committee would have audited the projects.

    According to him, Umahi told him during their short drive to the government house, that he had not received up to 40 percent of the funds spent on federal projects in the state, but assured him the monies will be refunded once the audit committee headed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, conclude its work.

    He also told the traditional rulers that his administration’s plans to invest in agriculture was deliberate, recalling that the First Republic was good in agriculture, because the land was abundant and grazing routes developed.

    According to him, “But subsequently we got drunk with oil money and abandoned what kept us intact. But we are going back to that (agriculture).”

    He assured the monarchs that the south-east will benefit from second Niger Bridge when completed and it will affect you positively in moving goods and services.

    He urged them that his second return will be of benefit to them as he will not be seeking a third return.

    The governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi in his remarks said irrespective of some perceptions, the south-east have benefited from federal government projects.

    He added that the federal government’s agricultural programme has benefited the state immensely which has resulted in increase in rice production.

  • Election: Umahi directs supporters to be at polling units by 6am

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has directed the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters to move to their polling units on election days by 6 a.m., to prevent possible electoral malpractices.

    Umahi gave the directive on Friday at Ikwo Local Government Area during the flag-off of his election campaign, urging the supporters to remain at the polling units after casting their votes.

    “Nobody should attempt any form of malpractice because we will resist such with everything we have.

    “When I was asked to sign the peace accord by the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), I signed but said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies should actually sign the accord.

    “There will be peace if they say let there be peace and if they refuse, there will not be,” he said.

    The governor noted that anybody collecting gratifications to perpetuate malpractices during the elections was risking his life because Ebonyi people would not agree to such.

    “Anyone coming for elections in the state should do the right thing because we are not asking for favours, having been blessed by God.

    “Henceforth, appointments into governmental positions will not be based on local government area considerations but on support to the PDP and its candidates.

    Read Also: Umahi donates operational vehicles to security agencies

    “Do not allow people to deceive you with all sorts of insinuations as everybody supporting the PDP must vote for the party’s candidates.

    “We are commencing our house-to-house campaign from Sunday, Jan. 20, and party faithful should post their findings on our social media platform,” he said.

    Umahi said that the campaign was flagged-off in Ikwo Local Government due to the electoral success recorded when such flag-off commenced in the area in 2015.

    “You gave 90 per cent of your votes when an incumbent governor from the area was not supporting us and you hadn’t a present deputy governor, three commissioners and other appointments.

    “I am optimistic that you will give us 100 percent presently with our infrastructural strides in roads and plans to make the Oferekpe water scheme functional, among others,” the governor said.

    Dr Kelechi Igwe, the Deputy Governor, who hails from the area, thanked the governor for replicating the flag-off of the campaign in the area and assured of the peoples’ total support.

    “The women of the area and decampees from the All Progressive Congress (APC) have donated Sienna buses respectively in appreciation of your numerous developmental strides and to support your re-election,” he said.

    Chief Uche Secondus, the PDP National Chairman, urged the electorate to vote for all PDP candidates from the presidential to the House of Assembly level.

    Secondus, represented by Chief Austin Umahi, the party’s National Vice-Chairman-South East Zone, said that the journey to the party’s electoral victory in 2015 started in Ikwo Local Government Area and expressed optimism of a repeat performance.

    Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the state Party Chairman, noted that the governor had justified his campaign with his numerous infrastructural strides across the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the occasion witnessed the defection of APC supporters to PDP, presentation of PDP candidates from the area and goodwill messages from party faithful among others.

  • Ohanaeze, others flay IPOB’s attacks on Ikpeazu, Umahi

    Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), and a coalition of Igbo groups, have condemned the attacks on Abia State Governor  Okezie Ikpeazu, and his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi, by the opposition parties and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu had said Abia and Ebonyi people should vote out Ikpeazu and Umah as they were sabotaging IPOB’s agitation.

    The groups described their actions as unacceptable and laughable.

    OYC’s National President Okechukwu Isiguzoro, after their meetings in Abakaliki, said Kanu had derailed from his Biafra agitation, and should not be listened to.

    He urged Kanu to concentrate on the no-election campaign, and leave Ikpeazu and Umahi alone to concentrate on their quest to reposition their states.

    He said: “The coalition of Igbo groups – namely World Igbo Youth Congress, Southeast Women Professionals and Igbo Students Movement – met with the Forum of Biafra Agitators, and resolved that the attack was laughable.

    “It is laughable that Kanu is derailing from his Biafra agitation, and now being sponsored by politicians to cause confusion and pursuing campaign of calumny against those who mean well for him.”

    The coalition was concerned about the outburst, asking why IPOB members did not register to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    Isiguzoro urged IPOB to emulate the maturity and non-violence approach of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), led by Uchenna Madu.

    It lauded the group, which promised to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct election in Southeast, and ensure there was no bloodshed during Operation Python Dance III.

    On All Progressives Congress National Chairman’s Adams Oshiomhole’s allegations that Ikpeazu had been collecting bailout funds without paying salaries, it said: “We are shocked because our members who are Abia workers are paid as and when due, while no Abia or Ebonyi worker is being owed.

    “We state that zoning formula favours Ikpeazu and Umahi. The opposition parties in Abia and Ebonyi know that their candidates cannot win because there are no vacancies to be filled in the two Government Houses till 2023.”

  • Umahi presents N188.4b budget

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has presented the 2019 Appropriation Bill of N188.4 billion to the House of Assembly.

    The governor assented to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) bill.

    At the presentation yesterday, Umahi said the executive assessed the performance level of the 2018 budget and was satisfied.

    He, however, said the budget witnessed bottlenecks which affected every sector.

    The 2019 Budget of Divine Fulfilment has a recurrent expenditure of N41.556 billion and capital expenditure of N49.068 billion.

    Read also: SGF in last-minute meeting with APC Reps Caucus

  • Southeast future beyond partisan politics, says Umahi

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi yesterday said the future of Southeast is beyond partisan politics, despite the fact that the zone is dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The governor addressed reporters on arrival from Abuja, the nation’s capital, where he led governors to a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

    The President is of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and only Imo, out of the five states in the region, is controlled by the ruling party.

    Three of the governors in the region are PDP chieftains; same with Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu from Enugu State and a part of the delegation to Aso Rock.

    There have been rumours that Wednesday’s visit to the President was political, especially as the 2019 elections are less than three months away.

    But Umahi debunked such insinuations.

    The governor said the meeting was meant to discuss the welfare of the region.

    He said the visit was also meant to persuade the Federal Government to commit more funds to the projects it is undertaking in the region, especially the Second Niger Bridge, highways and the Eastern railway project.

    Umahi said the governors also asked for the appointment of one of the Service Chiefs from the region.

    He said: “The Southeast governors visited President Buhari because they are part of Nigeria; the same way those of the Southsouth visited. Southsouth was talking about oil; you talk about your comparative advantage. We went to talk about our bridge, we went to talk about international airport, we went to talk about the delay in the construction of Federal roads in the Southeast.”

    The governor said the zone, though predominantly PDP, is part of Nigeria and deserves to get its fair share of democracy dividends from the centre.

    Umahi added: “We do extreme politics in Nigeria, but politics should be separated from the welfare of the people. There is so much extreme politics from the beginning of an election to another election. We wouldn’t have gone if Mr. President had awarded the so-much-talked-about Second Niger Bridge.

    “We went and said: ‘Look, even the mobilisation of N7 billion is not enough. We want 50 per cent mobilisation to Julius Berger and the other 50 per cent committed in bonds so that we will be sure that the project will be done.’

    “So, it was a positive visit in the sense that we must separate politics from reality, and the reality is that we need that Second Niger Bridge. If he had awarded it, it is fair that we say ‘thank you Mr. President’. It is our right; it is not a favour to the Southeast. It is the right of everybody to get democracy dividends.

    “So, the Southeast will not say because it is predominantly PDP, it should shy away from the development of the region by the Federal Government. For me, that is stupidity. We are not campaigning for anybody, but we must say that the welfare of the Southeast, the problem of the Southeast, the future of the Southeast is beyond partisan politics.”

    The governor said the zone would support any candidate who has a better plan for the region, irrespective of party affiliation.

    He said: “Any party that wants to take the Southeast very seriously, the Southeast will take that person very seriously. So, we are not going to be begging people to support the candidates.

    “You have to tell us what you will do for us as a people and we will look at it and know whether you are speaking the truth and we will also inquire from God whether you will win. This is because even if you promised heaven and earth and you will not win, wisdom demands we should not support you. But if you are going to win through the powers of God, because it is God who gives power, we will support you.”

     

     

  • Umahi: 95 per cent of states can’t pay N30, 000 minimum wage

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi declared that 95 per cent of states cannot pay the proposed N30, 000 minimum wage.

    Umahi, who is the Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, said this while inaugurating a 36-member fact-finding committee to ascertain the mode of workers’ promotion arrears payment in states across the six geo-political zones of the states.

    According to Umahi, the payment of the N30, 000 can only be realised if the federation account allocation formula is reviewed to offer more earnings to states.

    “The Federal Government collects 52 per cent of the revenue from the Federation Account and when I tried to put the N30,000 figure to Local Government Areas, it means they will borrow N1 billion to add to their allocation, in paying salaries.

    “I will definitely not be a governor to govern such a state and will never preside over a state that will allocate 100 per cent of its earnings to pay salaries.”

    The governor recommended that the issue of petroleum subsidy in the country should also be reviewed as had been noted by the state and federal governments.

    “We must presently have the courage to say this because a lot of money can be saved from the subsidy if properly distributed.

    “When 100, 000 litres of petrol is allocated to me for instance and deducted from my allocation, it is then my business to ensure that there is no leakage.

    “There is no governor or political office holder that signs cheques but civil servants as the country’s leaders and labour are just putting water inside a basket and praying God to hold it with this minimum wage issue.”

    He urged the country’s leaders and labour to liaise and decide on the percentage of the federation account that should be voted for salaries and other sectors.

    Umahi said: “We should determine how much should be allocated to education, health, infrastructure among others if 100 per cent of earnings are used to pay workers’ salaries.

    “Many states are experiencing various problems and cannot pay salaries but the people condemn their governments over their inability to provide good roads and other amenities.”

  • I am not ashamed to call Buhari my friend – Umahi

    GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State  has said that he is not ashamed to call President Muhammadu Buhari his friend, regardless of his own membership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Speaking during the quarterly media chat/ dinner on Friday night as part of celebrations to mark the nation’s 58th anniversary and 22nd year of the state’s creation, the governor said the relationship between him and the president is beyond politics.

    “I want to state that aside my wife, Buhari remains my only boss and should be respected by Nigerians because of his status as the president,” he said.

    He added: “Buhari as the president, is the symbol of the country just as the governors are mini-presidents in their respective states.

    “The fact is that as a human being, he might not be doing everything correctly, but the citizens owe him prayers and understanding to lead the country aright.

    “I have said repeatedly that I don’t have to insult him to show that I am a PDP member and it is not my duty as a governor to insult the president.

    “This does not mean that I do not identify with the ideals of the PDP, but it must be stated that those who say they are supporting Buhari in Ebonyi are only deceiving the people.”

    He said his administration plans to name the one and  a half kilometer  glass tunnel it is constructing after Buhari.

    The governor said the opposition in the state is only interested in his job and not genuinely supporting the president.

    He vowed that he would not allow them to take the position from him.

    He said: “the northern senatorial zone of the state produced a governor who served for eight years; the central zone did the same and the southern zone, where I hail from, should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure.

    “This is the tripod on which the state’s equity rests, and even though a sitting governor wanted to truncate it, God brought a David in my person to ensure it was maintained and it will be maintained till the end.”

    Umahi urged Nigerians to realise that power comes from God and to check the brazen quest for political offices which has brought several problems to the country.

    “Politicking has recklessly taken the centre stage in the nation’s affairs and if such is not checked for the next four years, it would be difficult for the country to handle its consequences.

    “The common man in the country just needs food on his table as politics has become a means of profiteering even from those who have nothing to offer to the people,” he said.

  • I am not ashamed to call Buhari my friend – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that he is not ashamed to call President Muhammadu Buhari his friend despite belonging to the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP).

    Umahi made the assertion on Friday night in Abakaliki during the quarterly media chat/ dinner as part of celebrations to mark the nation’s 58th anniversary and 22nd year of the state’s creation, noting that their relationship was beyond politics.

    The governor remarked that the State Government would name the one and half kilometres glass tunnel it is constructing after Buhari as it would be one of the best in the world.

    “I want to state that aside my wife, Buhari remains my only boss and should be respected by Nigerians because of his status as the president.

    “Buhari as the president, is the symbol of the country just as the governor’s are mini-presidents in their respective states.

    “The fact is that as a human being, he might not be doing everything correctly, but the citizens owe him prayers and understanding to lead the country aright.

    “I have said repeatedly that I don’t have to insult him to show that I am a PDP member and it is not my duty as a governor to insult the president.

    “This does not mean that I do not identify with the ideals of the PDP, but it must be stated that those who say they are supporting Buhari in Ebonyi are only deceiving the people,” he said.

    The governor noted that the opposition in the state was only interested in his job and not genuinely supporting the president, vowing not to allow them to take the position from him.

    “The northern senatorial zone of the state produced a governor who served for eight years; the central zone did the same and the southern zone where I hail from should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure.

    “This is the tripod on which the state’s equity rests and even though a sitting governor wanted to truncate it, God brought a David in my person to ensure it was maintained and it will be maintained till the end,” he said.

    Umahi urged Nigerians to realise that power comes from God and to check the brazen quest for political offices which has brought several problems to the country.

    “Politicking has recklessly taken the centre stage in the nation’s affairs and if such is not checked for the next four years, it would be difficult for the country to handle its consequences.

    “The common man in the country just needs food on his table as politics has become a means of profiteering even from those who have nothing to offer to the people,” he said.

    The governor, who took time to enumerate his administration’s strides in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, education, heath, human empowerment, among others, noted that his decision to modernise the state capital was irreversible.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that media practitioners from within and outside the state, took turns to ask several questions bordering on the state’ s existence and made general comments, at the occasion. (NAN)