The re-election bids of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State received a major boost on Wednesday with their respective endorsement by traditional rulers in the state.

President Muhammadu Buhari was in Ebonyi State on Wednesday in continuation of his campaign tour of the 36 states of the federation and it was pomp and splendour at the Abakaliki Township Stadium venue of the rally as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the supporters of the President trooped out to receive him. But, before Buhari proceeded to the stadium, he paid a courtesy call on Governor Dave Umahi at the Exco chambers of government house Abakaliki, to inform him of his campaign visit to the state.

On hand to welcome the President were all the 140 traditional rulers in the state, led by their chairman, Eze Charles Mkpuma and major stakeholders in the state. A major highlight of the reception was the endorsement of the President Buhari and Governor Umahi for the forthcoming presidential and governorship elections by the monarchs.



Mkpuma, who disclosed that their endorsement of Buhari for a second term was borne out of the robust relationship he has with the Umahi, commended Buhari’s determination to tackle the security situation in the country and fight against corruption. According to him, Buhari deserves their votes irrespective of party differences.

His words: “We appreciate your dogged determination to maintain utmost security of the country, especially your effort in eliminating Boko Haram and fight against corruption, which has brought respect and integrity to the country in the comity of nations. We believe that your robust relationship with our son the governor and your love for him and the state will surely earn you and only you, votes in Ebonyi State irrespective of party differences.”

The monarch further stated the traditional rulers are happy with the leadership of Governor Umahi, who has virtually touched every facet of life in the state. “We, the traditional rulers, like other residents of the state have been rejuvenated and revived by the governor,” he said. He told the President that Umahi deserves a second term for the sake of equity as the two former governors before him from other zones also had two terms each. “Since the inception of the present democratic dispensation, Ebonyi State has operated rotation of the governorship position among the three senatorial zones. Thus the north had eight years with the same man, central had two terms with same man and south is entitled to eight years with the same man. “It is right and proper that tradition should continue.

This is why we have endorsed incumbent Governor David Umahi, whose performance has been historic and superlative as the sole candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial election in Ebonyi State. We are happy with the governor. He has touched every facet of human and infrastructural development of the state,” Mpkuma said. The monarchs later presented 1,000 tubers of yam and 1,000 bags of rice for Buhari’s breakfast and lunch respectively.

Responding, the President Buhari expressed satisfaction that the impact of federal government projects are being felt in Ebonyi State and commended the governor for his feat infrastructural development in the state. He assured that monies spent on the completion of the federal projects will be refunded after the review committee would have audited the projects.

Buhari revealed that Umahi told him during their short drive to the government house that he had not received up to 40 per cent of the funds spent on federal projects in the state, but assured him the monies would be refunded once the audit committee headed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, concludes its work. He also told the traditional rulers that his administration’s plan to invest in agriculture was deliberate. He recalled that agriculture was the mainstay of the nation’s economy in the First Republic because land was abundant and grazing routes developed, but noted that “subsequently, we got drunk with oil money and abandoned what kept us intact.

But, we are going back to that.” Buhari commended Umahi’s administration generosity in sending Ebonyi rice to Abuja, which members of his extended family have been beneficiaries of. He assured the monarchs that the South-East will benefit from the Second Niger Bridge, when completed as it will facilitate movement of goods and services.

Umahi, in his remarks, said that irrespective of some perceptions, the South -East has benefited from Federal Government projects. He particularly noted that the Federal Government’s agricultural programme has benefited the state immensely and has led to the rice revolution in Ebonyi.

Umahi also used the opportunity to thank the President for approving the commencement of Ebonyi salt production. Umahi’s endorsement by the traditional rulers came after former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, assuerd him that his re-election is guaranteed.

Anyim, who spoke during a PDP rally in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of the state, said: “I want to say that when you go to other places, they will receive you with a rally, but when you come to your home, Ivo they will only celebrate you. I want to say and say it very clearly that the event of today is not necessarily preparatory to 2019 because for us, your 2019 is guaranteed. Anyim added: “You Excellency, you know how we do it. When we lead, others follow. So, we want to assure you today that for 2019, Ivo will lead and we are sure others will follow. So, for us, that is really not an issue. Today, we are pleased to have you at home to celebrate you, to celebrate your achievements and celebrate your government. Your becoming governor of Ebonyi State is remarkable in many areas.

The most important is that you are the first governor Ebonyi State to come from Afikpo zone. “So, certainly you are our own and I want to say that I have always said that the people who governed before you, they governed for eight years. Ebonyi North governed for eight years, Ebonyi central eight years, Ebonyi south where you come from will govern for eight years. We have something to show for your four years and because we have something to show for your four years, we can proudly say that your next four years is a matter of life.” Also, a former governor of the state and senator representing Ebonyi North in the National Assembly, Dr. Sam Egwu, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in the last party primaries, Senator Emmanuel Agboti; former Minister of State for Power and Steel, Chief Goddy Ogbaga and other notable personalities in the state have endorsed the governor.

Umahi had on January 17, flagged off his re-election campaign with the launching of N1.4 billion projects across the 140 autonomous communities of the state. Speaking during the flag-off in Ikwo, he said: “I didn’t come for campaigns; I came to share more democracy of dividends. The only campaign I am doing is projects.” Inaugurating the N1.4 billion community development projects for the 140 communities, the governor aid each community will get N10 million to carry out a project of its choice.

He also said the money for the community projects has already been set aside, adding that leaders of all the 140 communities have submitted projects their communities would like to execute. Umahi noted that he will continue to develop the state, even as he called on the people to continue to support his administration.


“We are beginning N10 million projects in each of the 140 communities. The money is already available; we believe in action not in promises that would not be fulfilled. We said every community should give us project of their choice and they have done that. So, we will need to flag it off,” he said. Chairmen of town unions from the local government areas were present to receive the cheques from the governor. In their separate speeches, the Director- General of Umahi Campaign Organisation, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo; the state Chairman of PDP, Barr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi and the PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-East), Chief Austin Umahi, urged the people to re-elect the governor and other PDP candidates as reward for good work is more work.

Is Dave Umahi of PDP or Apc? Because ayam not understanding this his romance with uncle BUBU.

johnlvis:
Is Dave Umahi of PDP or Apc? Because ayam not understanding this his romance with uncle BUBU.

Your guess is as good as mine.

Lol, APC are jittery. Umahi has categorically told you guys that he's not with you.

He only borrowed you 2000 people not to embarrass the president.

APC like doing business wit jobbers. GMB will get shocker of life com d morinin of 17th feb wen he will wake up 2reality

When will Yoruba moslems learn?