By Monica Ada C. Eze
With a sitting governor and all the paraphernalia and instruments of power at his disposal, resolving not to support your candidature in any given elective position within a country like Nigeria, it can only take a divine intervention for you to survive, talk less of succeeding. That was the fate of Dave Umahi in his drive to become the Governor of Ebonyi State. According to Messrs Umahi and Egwu, during the thanksgiving service by Egwu, who is the current senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial zone, in Umuebe, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, they formed a prayer quartet, and handed over their struggle to God. Umahi was said to be the arrow-head of the struggle, Egwu’s wife, Eunice, was their consultant. The senator further disclosed that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim and the Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, were other two members of the quartet.
Egwu told the large gathering, which included Anyim and members of the Ebonyi State Executive Council, that they found out that Elechi was opposed to his candidature and that of Umahi, because he wanted his in-laws to occupy the two positions. He said: “I remember a particular day, myself, Pius Anyim, David Umahi, and Kelechi Igwe sat down in the dining room of the former SGF, and we prayed about our mission. We asked God to support us in the mission we had embarked upon. We knew it was difficult, very, very difficult; but we committed it into the hands of God. Four of us prayed that we were going by the grace of God to contest the elections; we prayed that Umahi becomes the governor of Ebonyi State; myself to be the senator and Kelechi Igwe to be the deputy governor. Of course, Anyim said he was not going for any position, but he would solidly be behind us.” Egwu, who thanked God for answering their prayers, hailed Umahi and Anyim whom he described as the force behind his victory and the face of the struggle in Abuja.
Umahi, in his remarks, also narrated the struggle with former governor Elechi, even after he (Elechi) was advised by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, to allow Egwu and himself to contest the elections. He disclosed that after their prayers at SGF’s home, they became stronger and more determined to contest the elections.
The governor recalled: “We can’t thank you enough our dear Senator Anyim; we can’t thank you enough. You got all the important personalities to help us; you also brought the funds needed alongside with your friends. At a time, we were more interested in former governor Egwu going to Senate than myself going for governorship position.”
He praised Mrs Eunice Egwu for lending her support to the struggle, adding that she was their main political consultant. Anyim said he was elated, because their prayer for Umahi to become the governor of Ebonyi State and for Egwu to become a Senator was answered by God.
Result and Impact of the Divine Mandate
The results and impacts of this divine mandate is the current peace in Ebonyi State because according to Proverbs 29 verse 2: Holman Christian Standard Bible version, “When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan” and to King James Bible version, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn”.
Today, Ebonyi State is referred to as one huge construction site, and a reference case in terms of revolution in agriculture, and number one state in the area of health delivery to her people. This is particularly in the area of elimination of malaria epidemic. With three solid flyovers almost completed and to be commissioned formally for public use by March, 2017 by President Muahmmadu Buhari, these feats within less than two years in office by this enigma of a leader aptly put him as a revolutionist of our time.
Stating this more aptly was no other person than Engr Babachir Lawal, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF): “Well, I cannot in all honesty understand how these works have been achieved within this short time and, indeed, in the climate of dire economic shortages of government. I am impressed that you (Dave Umahi) were able to do these works within the cost you mentioned. I can, in all honesty, tell you that the work is far beyond the cost. Now, this is a standard for other states and the Federal Government to emulate. To me, Governor Umahi is one of the few persons who believe that meagre resources could be used to achieve much, if we remove greed, which breeds corruption. Without mincing words, Umahi, is better than some governors in my own party, the APC.”
Today, Ebonyi State is rated as one of the most outstanding growing states in Nigeria, as Umahi embarks on total rehabilitation of the dilapidated roads in Abakaliki and construction of roads in all the zones of the state.
While the current recession ravaging most states in Nigeria has made them unable to pay their staff salaries for many months, the administration of Umahi in Ebonyi State has not only increased the salaries of its workers by 5 per cent, but also pays regularly on 15th of every month. What is more, we are now hearing about the 13th month salary in Ebonyi State, Governor Umahi having decided to pay the state’s civil servants 13th month salary during the 2016 Christmas!
Today, there is no family or community in Ebonyi State that is not feeling the impact of governance in Ebonyi, and are all singing the praises of the governor: pleading with him to go for a second term, come 2019.
Umahi has not only redefined governance, but has achieved within less than two years in office what past administrators couldn’t achieve in the 20 years of the creation of the state. This is why it looks as if John Maxwell had Umahi in mind, when he stated: “Knowing how to do a job is the accomplishment of labour – showing others is the accomplishment of the teacher – making sure the work is done by others is the accomplishment of the manager – inspiring others to do better work is the accomplishment of the leader.”
Affirmation of Feats
Based on these feats, the various communities in Ebonyi State have resolved to endorse Umahi, the indefatigable incumbent Governor of Ebonyi State, for the 2019 general elections. This, to me, is demonstration of appreciation of gratitude for Umahi’s unprecedented feats.
In examining the impact of governance in Ebonyi State under Umahi, let us listen to what Jackie Robinson, one of the more iconic figures in Dodgers and Harold Kushner, the spiritual leader at Temple Israel for over 25 years and the well-known author of When Bad Things Happen to Good said about the philosophy of Umahi in the arts of governance: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness.”
To the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba, “the developmental strides of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State is unprecedented in the annals of governance in Ebonyi State. Umahi has returned the 20-year-old state to the path of progress. His aggressive infrastructural pursuit and actualising the dream of the founding fathers of Ebonyi State is commendable.”
With the rate the governor is tackling rural and urban development, the state has entered into the record books as one of the fastest developing states in Africa.
Ogba, who represents Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, added: “I am over satisfied. n fact, I am very happy, I want to congratulate him, I don’t know how he got money to do these projects, but we’ve never had it so good. Sam Egwu did very well during his time, but Umahi has jumped and is moving us far ahead.”
Conclusion
Let me conclude this treatise by stating what my political leader and uncle, Chief Austin Umahi, the National Vice-chairman of PDP, South-East Zone, said about the administration of Umahi: “You ain’t see something yet, until Ebonyi become the second Dubai. The fact remains that the current developments ongoing in Ebonyi is just a starting point, as Ebonyi will soon be competing with high profile cities like Dubai. The PDP chieftain made this declaration when Ohaozara stood still for Governor Umahi at the inauguration of Akubaraoha Youth Assembly executives. The event featured men of timber and calibre of Ohaozara LGA, top government functionaries, Ohaozara good people and several top functionaries across the state.
Monica Ada C. Eze is Technical Assistant (TA) on Media to Governor Dave Nweze Umahi and can be reached through dunaebonyitransformation001@gmail.com or quintrelking@gmail.com
