By Nathaniel Irobi
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has owned up to burying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State during his time as governor, vowing that the party will not be allowed to rise again in the state.
Umahi made the declaration while inspecting the Cross River–Ebonyi–Benue–Abuja Trans-Saharan Highway.
The minister dismissed any link between himself and the governorship ambition of the PDP candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, insisting he has no relationship with anyone whose moves could threaten the re-election of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
He also addressed the chairmanship of his son, Osborn, describing the governor’s decision to back him as proof that Nwifuru wishes him well and has not forgotten the past.
Umahi revealed that he has directed the Ohaozara Local Government Area chairman not to sign any document that does not carry the approval of the governor and the state House of Assembly.
Speaking about his son, the minister said Osborn must show transparency, honesty and prudent handling of funds.
“I’ve told him (Osborn) that anything that is not signed by the governor or the House of Assembly, don’t put your signature there. Because the governor is insisting that local government funds should be used to develop local government. So nobody should come through the back and say, sign.
“I’ve told him not to because you are carrying my name and the name of the governor in the performance of your duties. There is also a name of the family that you are carrying.
“And he has promised not to take salary and not to take allowances. And this will be very, very wonderful. So myself and my governor, it’s our soul.
“I give back to the governor. Governor give back to him. So two of us will ensure that he comes out very clean and he makes the governor very proud.
“So we expect a very robust engagement. He has started very well by calling meetings of all the stakeholders and by making sure that the three communities of Uburu, Okposi, and Ugwulangwu are properly united. And I’ve advised him, don’t do anything for the people of Uburu because you are from Uburu.
“It has to be equitably distributed among the 11 council wards of the local government. Because when you are a leader and you want to just develop your place, God will resist you. And he will not do it.
“So I have very high expectations with the governor, who is his father. And he is the one that nominated him. I never nominated him. And then when that happened, I said to my wife, let’s allow this boy to continue working in NNPC.
“Then trouble busted out of the house. You’ve been governor, the son of another mother. You don’t want my son to be local government chairman. Of course, you know they will defeat me together with the governor. So that’s how it came to be.
“But when people call me out, oh, I’ve made my son local government, that’s not true. The governor is alive. And that single deed of the governor, it touched me so much because it shows that he feels good for me and he appreciates the past, the present, and tomorrow,” Umahi said.
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