The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, stated that many individuals he helped attain political positions during the 2023 general election are now avoiding him.
Umahi made this remark in Abakaliki on Thursday while addressing newsmen.
He mentioned that even some National Assembly members, whom he assisted in gaining power, are among those distancing themselves from him. However, he emphasized that this behavior does not bother him. “It is only Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi who will openly acknowledge that I am his father and boss. The others feel that by doing so, the state governor, my successor, will be angry with them.
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“The governor cannot do that because he too openly acknowledges that I was instrumental to his emergence,” he said.
Umahi mentioned that this situation has led him to abandon the idea of having political godsons and instead, he has chosen to have political friends.
“I will fight anybody who makes trouble with the governor because he deserves our respect.
“I have done my bit, have left the stage and have to respect myself,” he said.
Umahi noted that conflicts often arise between predecessors and successors, but he is not interested in such disputes because he feels blessed by God.
“There are always pathways to successes and failures and when you dig for someone to fail, you have already failed,” he added.
The minister promised to support Nwifuru for eight years and expressed gratitude to God for giving the governor the grace to unite all state leaders.
“The issue of the leaders staying together for long is not our business but I have known the governor for 16 years and will continue to support him.
“I will never regret making him my successor, as he, alongside a few others, stood with me during the hard decision of defecting to the APC.”
