Ebonyi South: Group Shops For Replacement Of Senator Umahi

By Sunday Ogbu

The appointment of Senator David Nwaeze Umahi as the federal minister of works by President Ahmed Tinubu and his subsequent resignation as a senator created a vacuum at the senate for Ebonyi South Senatorial District . Consequently, Concerned Ebonyi South Youth For Quality Representation is shopping for a replacement of the former Deputy Leader of the Senate. They have tipped Chief Austin Umahi to replace Senator David Nwaeze Umahi in the Senate.

In a press statement titled ‘Why Ebonyi South Senatorial Seat Fits Chief Austin Umahi’ signed on behalf of the group by its Chairman and Secretary Hon. Peter Akpa and Michael Ori respectively, stated that Chief Austin Umahi has proved that he is not just an exceptional leader of men and resources but one who has dedicatedly leads from the front and inspires others to achieve greatness.

According to the statement, Chief Austin Umahi was behind the political successes recorded in the political landscape of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023 , however, he has not been rewarded either by way of appointment or elective position.

The statement reads, “It is no longer news that the wheels have turned full circle for the immediate past administration that presided over the affairs of Ebonyi State from May 29, 2015 to May 29,2023. What will remain of fervid concern to history and historians however,is the behind the scenes and open contributions of great individuals to the birth of that administration during the hot and highly contested primary, general elections and the tenure itself.

“Given his clear, emphatic and unassailable contributions and sacrifices to the many positive outcomes in the era, it will be trite to say that one man who bestrides the entire political tapestry like a colossus and stood as the rock of Gibraltar all through the era, is Deacon Chief Austin Umahi.

“An embodiment of academic brilliance, organizational skills and results oriented administrative acumen, Chief Austin proved that he was not just an exceptional leader of men and resources but one who dedicatedly leads from the front and inspires others to achieve greatness.

“All who had more than a cursory knowledge of the era will remember that Chief Austin fought tirelessly in 2014 to ensure that the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State secured the ticket and continued to tread where Angels were afraid to run as he led the charge on many fronts that culminated in 2015 in the victory of the then immediate past Governor and the election of three Senators, five House of Reps Members and 24 State House of Assembly members , as one of the few founding members of Divine Mandate, yet he held no elective nor appointive position.

“In 2016 fortune thrust on his shoulders the responsibility of resuscitating the PDP South East that was in the throes of pangs of death as the National Vice Chairman (NVC ) and Chairman South East. After his stewardship, friends and foes are in agreement that he performed creditably.

“In 2019, he repeated same feat without complaining, always cheerful, dogged and determined in the course he believes in . In 2020, October, he willingly resigned his position as a National Vice Chairman PDP, South East in protest against the marginalization of Ndigbo and the defection of the then Governor to APC , this he did without minding the dictum that self preservation is the first law in Heaven.

“Throughout, the eight years of the immediate past administration, he was the stabilization strong link that saw all the tremendous transformations recorded in Ebonyi State . He had also positively affected the lives of many people in the extant period and remained the voice of many voiceless, and the defender of d defenceless, no wonder his admirers named Ochiagha ndi igbo Gburugburu.

“In 2022, he contested for Ebonyi South Senatorial seat primary which he won overwhelmingly but was asked to relinquish the position to the then Governor which he quietly did without complain as a true and loyal party man . In same 2022, he was given too many tasking state assignments which he conscientiously and dutifully discharged creditably.

“The tasks to mention but a few, includes the Chairman of the zoning committee that midwifed the sharing of elective positions from ward to the state level, a feat that led to the peaceful, equitable and harmonious electioneering in the State and secondly the Director General of Divine Mandate Campaign Council that produced the young and vibrant Governor of the State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, three senators , three House of Representatives ( and still counting) and 20 house of Assembly members.

“The moral burden now : Should a loyal ,dedicated and hardworking party man go unrewarded having paid his dues and sacrificed beyond human comprehension thus far? Answer: It is pay back time. Let Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone overwhelmingly and in consensus support a man who is driven by an uncommon passion and zeal for the betterment of the people to go for Ebonyi South Senate ,after-all, this is the same ticket he surrendered out of respect and in obedience to the Party”, it stated.