Gov Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has cautioned his political opponents
to be wary of the fact that God’s hand is on his emergence as the
state’s chief executive.
Umahi said this during a thanksgiving service by Christ Embassy ,Abakaliki.
“As they chase us,may they not incur the wrath of God,because we came in
the name of the Lord;” he said, apparently referring to the Labour Party
candidate, Edward Nkwegu(aka Edon) and his supporters.
Explaining that he came to appreciate God for his favour upon his family
and for the victory he granted him at the Elections Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, the governor said that
Nkwegu and his loyalists needed to trade the path of wisdom,instead
of dissipating energy and resources contesting God’s ordained mandate.
Umahi said, “The worst sickness is when a man cannot see the hands of God.
The hands of God are upon us and no man,no power,no court can set aside the
victory that God has given us.
As they move to the supreme court,it is an act of foolishness.”
Recalling the travails he faced during the governorship election, Governor
Umahi said that God even gave him victory in the 13 local government
areas of the state, including that of the then political Pharaoh
(Martin Elechi) in the state..
He added,”Not only that God gave us victory, He gave us victo
in the 13 local government areas,including the LG of Pharaoh and his henchmen.
“During the tribunal that lasted six months, for three months,our detractors were running up and down looking for whom to bribe, write all
kinds of petitions to the President,and who is who. I just look at them and
laughed. And I took what my lawyers wrote and passed it over to my
pastor. I came here by myself I dropped it on the alter. Today, we have victory.”
Preaching at the ocassion,the Pastor in charge,Christ Embassy, Eunice Oyeyemi
said that God had been faithful to his people,despite challenges.
She commended Governor Umahi for the remarkable achievements he had recorded in the state.
Special prayers were offered for Umahi,his family and EXCO members.
Governor David Umahi has also expressed deep sadness over the death of eight All Progressives Congress supporters and a conductor in an auto crash on the Ezzamgbo section of the Abakaliki-Enugu highway.
The crash occurred when the driver of a Toyota Sienna conveying the APC supporters lost control and rammed into a tipper heading to Abakaliki.
The party supporters were said to be heading for Enugu to join the loyalists of the Labour Party candidate for the last governorship election in Ebonyi State, Edward Nkwegu,who had massed at the Court of Appeal awaiting the verdict on Nkwegu’s appeal.
Engr. Umahi, who ran into scene of the accident said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, on Saturday that it was “unfortunate that the victims who were bread winners of their families lost their lives while going to witness a functionally useless appeal” by Nkwegu.
He said, “It is very saddening that those party supporters, who were going to show solidarity to my opponent in the last election died in that accident.
“I am deeply pained because they were merely going to express their right to free association and choice but met their untimely death in such a tragic circumstance.”
The governor prayed for the repose of their souls and urged the bereaved families to find solace in the fact that the Almighty would strengthen them.
Umahi assured that the government would reach out to the bereaved families to ascertain the level of assistance they need.
In another development, the result of a survey conducted by a non-governmental group, Citizen Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps, has rated Ebonyi State high on the ladder of transparency and accountability in the management and administration of public funds.
Also enjoying the enviable position with Ebonyi in the survey conducted this year are Rivers, Lagos and Kaduna .
The respondents of the survey were residents of the 36 states of the federation who were interviewed by CACVC.
The Commandant-General, Comrade Harris Chuma,announced the result at a news conference to mark the United Nations-approved International World Corruption Day in Lagos on Friday.
Chuma said, “This scorecard evaluates the transparency and accountability of the state governments in Nigeria. It provides an assessment of their performance on a selection of key anti-corruption indices in the course of governance.
“ The scorecard is generally based on research and on-going monitoring of developments in Nigeria. This assessment is carried out annually; and it is used as a veritable tool to evaluate governments’ track records and commitment to accountability and integrity in public see.
“The ability to hold government to account for the use of public funds is a crucial aspect of the fight against corruption. By providing an independent assessment of the government‘s approach to transparency, integrity and anti-corruption measures, CACVC scorecard helps to hold public office holders and governments accountable to those they serve.”
He explained that the states were scored based on the evidence gathered from interviews and public opinions aggregated, verified and documented.
Ebonyi State, according to him, came second after Rivers, based on the inauguration of the anti-corruption crusade to ensure a corruption-free civil service, prudent management of state resources, and an open government policy which goes beyond information and disclosure.”
Chuma added that “the war against corruption and indiscipline in the state has been intensified with Governor David Umahi’s decision to personally monitor state’s departments, agencies, commissions and parastatals.
The Umahi, administration, he said, “ adopts a zero-level tolerance policy for fraud in government circles.”
Reacting. the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Sen. Emmanuel Onwe, said he was not surprised because the successes of Engr, Umahi had left even his detractors stunned.
Onwe addded.. “The achievements of Governor Umahi in Ebonyi State under the most challenging economic circumstances to confront the nation in nearly two decades has left both his friends and foes stunned and impressed.
“Governor Umahi is sailing the crest of the wave of towering achievements precisely because he has brought creative imagination to the economic theory of opportunity cost.
” I must say that I am happy that a credible organisation has recognised the genuine efforts of committed leaders in our country without first seeking the dishonourable contents of brown envelopes.
