August 23, (THEWILL) – 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 has shopped for a replacement for the former Deputy Leader of the Senate. They have tipped Chief Austin Umahi to replace Senator David Nwaeze Umahi in the Senate.
A press statement titled, “Why Ebonyi South Senatorial Seat Fits Chief Austin Umahi”, signed on behalf of the group by Hon. Peter Akpa and available to journalists in Abakaliki, stated that Chief Austin Umahi has 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.
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, organisational 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 the 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 stabilisation 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 the 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 complaining 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, include 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 payback 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.
About the Author
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
