David Umahi
Umahi makes U-turn, clears Obi to use Ebonyi stadium for Jan. 11 Labour Party rally
Ebonyi Governor, David Umahi has directed the Ministry of Youth and Sports to grant the Labour Party (LP) and its Presidential candidate, Dr Peter Obi, permission to use the state-owned township stadium in Abakaliki, for its proposed rally coming on January 11.
A similar request by Dr Obi was turned down last year as the LP candidate’s street rally in the state capital was disrupted when the police fired several canisters of tear gas at people who had converged for the event.
It was the first time a Peter Obi rally in the South East was disrupted by the police, who claimed that the LP candidate did not obtain a permit for the event, as the party denied the accusation.
In a twist, Governor Umahi who issued the instruction while addressing some Commissioners and heads of government agencies and departments at Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, emphasized that ‘no political party should be denied access to government-owned facilities for any lawful activity, provided they fulfil the demands of the existing Executive order in the State for the use of such facilities.’
The public officers were in the Governor’s home with their Staff on a Christmas and New Year to pay homage to the Governor.
“The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, the Labour Party applied that they want to use the stadium on the 11th.
“They must be allowed to use it, but they must comply with my Executive Order.
“No Party should be denied the use of our facilities, but the laws of the State must be obeyed.”
Governor Umahi who used the occasion to commend some ministries for their outstanding performance, also cautioned those found wanting to buckle up or risk sanctions.
He admonished all political actors to always put the development of the State first in their actions, insisting that Ebonyi State will continue to fare better under a government by the All Progressives Congress at all levels.
“I continue to say that our first interest is Ebonyi as a State, and our Party is APC, and there is nothing like vote here, and vote elsewhere in all the elections.”
Addressing the forum of former Executive Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants and Technical Assistants, the Governor said he would ensure that any of them who merits it would be brought into the State Executive Council in the next Administration.
He however prescribed the major criteria as their ability to win their polling units up to 90 percent for APC in the coming elections.
“Some of the former STAs and TAs who worked very hard will make members of Executive Council Members in the next Administration.
“To be qualified, you must show evidence of winning your polling unit with over 90 percent,” Umahi said.
