Gov Umahi’s Defection: Mixed Reactions From Southeast

Following the defection of Ebonyi State governor, Engr Dave Umahi, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, THE WHISTLER went out to get reactions from people in the Southeast.

But the reactions have been mixed with some seeing it as a move to further his political ambition while others think he only formally joined the party he had been an unofficial member.

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Dr James Ile, critic and lecturer, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, told our correspondent in an interview that, “Gov Umahi has always acted in accordance with the APC agenda, even as a PDP governor. It is very difficult to judge a man as he is because he has done very well for his state, Ebonyi. He has been very careful in his political undertakings almost to the detriment of Igbo collective interests, but to the benefit of his state. Only the future will determine how he will end up politically. But I can say that his is a case of paradox: not exactly loved by ndi Igbo, but loved by ndi Ebonyi.”

For Williams Orji, a media practitioner, the defection by Gov Umahi was to avert being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission pertaining to how he mismanaged the state resources. Orji however acknowledged that the governor achieved a lot, especially in the area of infrastructure. In his words, “Umahi’s defection to the APC is only a smokescreen to avert EFCC arrest and possible prosecution. His excuse that he is championing the course of the Igbo presidency is just his way of looking for a tenable excuse to be part of the APC family, where it is believed that if you belong, no law will catch you. I agree that the governor attracted a lot of development, but he has a question to answer on how projects are awarded in the state, and who executes such projects.”

Author and political analyst, Osmond Onuh, said he had expected Gov Dave Umahi to join the ruling APC because of his personal relationship with President Muhammedu Buhari. In his view, “It did not come to some of us as a shock. As a matter of fact, immediately his emergence as the governor of Ebonyi State in 2015, and the subsequent assumption of office by Muhammadu Buhari as Nigerian president, both individuals became so close, which set tongues wagging.

“Before the 2019 general elections, it was highly rumoured that Umahi would pitch a tent with the APC, and by extension, Buhari. But to the chagrin of many political observers, he remained in the PDP. But there is no doubt that his body and soul are with the APC.”

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He recalled further that, “The first place for Buhari to land in the Southeast after assuming office was Abakaliki while going to Anambra to flag off Tony Nwoye’s campaign as APC’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2017 guber elections. The 2023 Igbo presidency is the in-thing, and the best bait seems to be the APC for Umahi, considering his closeness with Buhari and his performances in terms of infrastructural development which put him at a vantage position. Though he has reiterated his intentions of leaving active politics by 2023, but who can hold Nigerian politicians by their words? They will say one thing in the morning and another in the night.”

For Mr Kanayo Chukwumezie, a civil rights activist, what has just played out is a pointer that the nation’s political system lacks principles and ideologies. Quoting him, “Changing of political parties by Nigerian politicians is a clear testimony that our political parties have no principles and no ideologies. They should all be merged as they are the same family. For Umahi moving to the APC, it has been rumoured for some time before it happened, so it’s not surprising.”

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