Umahi denies signing one-term agreement with Governor Nwifuru
From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki
Minister of Works and immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has denied the insinuation in some quarters that his successor, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru signed One-term agreement with him.
Mr Umahi urged the public to disregard the rumor, saying that Governor Nwifuru’s 8 years tenure was sacrosanct.
He stated this in Afikpo, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on Wednesday, during the flag off 118.8km Calabar—Ebonyi—Benue—Nasarawa—Abuja Super Highway section 1.
“Some hungry persons have been trying to cause crisis in this state. But I am not available. I have been badly used in the past, but not anymore. I am not available again.
“I was Governor for 8 years in this state, and I controlled all the structures without interference from any quarter. Yet, some people think that after leaving office I will come back to contest structure with my successor.
“I can’t do that. I am too busy for that. The Governor is the leader of the party in the State, and his words are final as far as party structure is concerned.
“When you will be conducting your congresses and convention, I would be in Dubai; you won’t see me here”
“There is no such agreement anywhere. I supported him to become Governor without any condition. His 8 years is sacrosanct. That is already taken for granted. Now, we are even looking beyond the next 6 years, as there is no opposition in Ebonyi.
“As David, I fought wars for 8 years. But he is very lucky. No opposition anywhere under him. Those who could have opposed him have all joined us. So he is the luckiest Governor Ebonyi has produced”
He commended the Governor for uniting the state, and urged him to ignore his critics while focusing on his developmental strides.
He argued that those criticising him now, would later praise him when he leaves office.
“When I was Governor, they were shouting hunger, hunger everywhere. They said I was doing nothing. But now, they say I was a good Governor. But they criticised me bitterly when I was in office.
“Governor Nwifuru is not anyhow Governor. You can’t get him angry with social media posts unlike me. He will complete 8 years because there is no opposition party in Ebonyi State.
“Nwifuru has united everyone into APC. Come 2027, Ebonyi people will vote massively for Nwifuru and Tinubu.”
“So I urged you to remain focused, and continue to work for the state. You have my support and the support of the good people of Ebonyi State”, he stated.
The Works Minister also said that President Bola Tinubu has reunited entire Nigeria and urged the people of South East to come together and endorse the President for second tenure.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reunited the entire country and South East has no cause not to stand with Mr. President irrespective of party affiliation.
“His eight years is for our benefits. Don’t join those that want to push us to fight and they will reap the benefits.
“We are working with the Governors irrespective of party affiliation for the entire South East and their leaders including my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi.
“We must as a necessity come together to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for eight years”, Umahi stated.
