Linus Okorie, a senatorial candidate for the Labour Party in the Ebonyi South Zone National Assembly Elections on February 25, 2023, has criticized Minister of Works David Umahi for claiming the authority to pick his successor in the Senate.
At the same time, he advised the outgoing governor to focus more of his efforts on building good, long-lasting roads for Nigerians rather than frantically ‘politicking’ for a successor to take his position in the Red Chamber.
When President Bola Tinubu elevated Umahi to the position of minister, he’resigned’ as a senator representing the Ebonyi South District.
The works minister made the statement in public on Saturday when paying Francis Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi State, a courtesy call.
The LP candidate Okorie, however, stated on Sunday that “the escalating belligerence of David Umahi, Minister of Works, over the Ebonyi South Senatorial seat, which he resigned from and is still the subject of litigation, beats every imagination. Malignant despair is on the rise.
While I am unable to comment on how or why he continues to insist on managing the state chapter of the APC as a part of his ministerial duties, it is important to note that he does not have the authority to assign or reassign the Ebonyi South Senatorial seat as a “friends and family” asset.
No new elections are anticipated until the court of appeals rules on an appeal of the tribunal decision that oddly denied our petitions, according to the Labour Party and myself.
It is consequently beyond comprehension why Umahi is desperately trying to intimidate everyone into ceding a public position to his own whims and caprices, as if it were a private estate, the speaker continued.
Umahi went on to declare his absolute right to zone and produce who replaces him from his party, thus shutting out even the state governor who is their state party leader, in any such process. This was done in addition to publicly criticizing his own state party chairman and overruling his expressed party position on the matter.
He was reportedly said to have gone farther, introducing a close female assistant as the upcoming senator for Ebonyi South, a day earlier in Abia State. Austin Umahi, his younger brother by one year, had already started running for the same office before the tribunal’s decision.
“Given the magnitude of the issues and demands on the Ministry of Works that he now oversees as Minister, one would have anticipated that Umahi would devote all of his time and efforts to providing Nigerians with good roads and leave Ebonyi South District alone. Even in his capricious autocratic whims, the President, his party, and the entire country look to him to conquer and deliver in that area.
“I appeal to all Ebonyi South countrymen to ignore the Minister’s extravagant antics and concentrate on what is best for the region. In the event that the court of appeal demands a new Senate election, they will ultimately make the choice.
Share your thoughts