Dave Umahi Asserts His Right to Choose Senate Replacement

Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, has firmly stated that he retains the right to select his successor as the Senator representing Ebonyi South District in the National Assembly.

This assertion comes in the wake of Umahi’s resignation from the Senate, following his appointment as a minister by President Bola Tinubu.

The move triggered a subsequent legal challenge as both the Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates filed petitions contesting his election.

On Friday, the Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja upheld Umahi’s election and dismissed the petitions from both opposing parties….[CONTINUE READING HERE]>>

Speaking on Saturday during his visit to Governor Francis Nwifuru, his successor in Ebonyi State, as part of a tour to inspect federal roads in the state, Umahi underscored his authority in choosing his replacement.

Umahi emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the senatorial ticket is allocated to Ohaozara Local Government Area and remains there.

He conveyed, “We will make certain that the party designates the ticket to Ohaozara (my Local Government Area), and it will not be relocated elsewhere. We will have discussions with the governor and, with his assistance, navigate through the legal processes as we await the opposition’s response.”

Expressing his gratitude to Governor Nwifuru for supporting his efforts to have Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi (APC-Ebonyi Central) take over as the Senate deputy majority leader, Umahi remarked, “I inquired if you could facilitate the process, and you did. It is now in progress. Not every governor would desire the growth of their subjects, but I want to assure you of complete cooperation.”

He added, “President Tinubu is not a proponent of division, and you can be confident that you are not competing for party leadership with anyone.”

Umahi noted that his decision to switch from the PDP to the APC has yielded positive results by projecting the state into mainstream politics.

He candidly reflected, “That decision nearly cost me my life, my properties were set ablaze, and I became the subject of criticism among the Igbo community. However, that decision has led us to our current positions, so I urge you to support the governor in strengthening the party in the state and the southeastern region.”

Umahi passionately expressed his belief that President Tinubu was destined by divine providence to lead the nation, a conviction he has held since the election season.

In closing, Umahi called upon the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, and other influential figures from the Igbo community to throw their support behind Tinubu. He highlighted that the president had entrusted the Southeast with a prominent ministerial position, even when the region’s electoral support was not overwhelming….[CONTINUE READING HERE]>>