Minister Umahi Laments Political Abandonment by Allies

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed disappointment over the conduct of several individuals he assisted to attain political power during the 2023 general election, noting that many now avoid him.

Speaking to newsmen in Abakaliki on Thursday, Umahi revealed that even National Assembly members he helped to power were among those distancing themselves from him. He emphasized that their behavior did not disturb 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,” Umahi said.

“The governor cannot do that because he too openly acknowledges that I was instrumental to his emergence.”

Umahi added that this development has led him to stop having political godsons, opting instead for 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.

He acknowledged the common occurrence of crises between predecessors and successors but asserted that he would not be part of such conflicts. “I am not available for such because I have been so blessed in life by God.

There are always pathways to successes and failures, and when you dig for someone to fail, you have already failed.”

Umahi vowed to support Governor Nwifuru for his entire eight-year tenure, expressing gratitude for the governor’s efforts to unite 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,” Umahi concluded.