Defection Row: Umahi Begs Anyim, Egwu, Ebonyi NASS Caucus


The Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi, has decided to sheath his sword and put an end to the rift between him and some major players and political gladiators in the state.

Citynews had reported how Umahi defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last month.

The development sparked controversy and sowed discord between him and his allies in the PDP who disassociated themselves from his move.

In the days following his defection, Umahi and some of his allies now turned foe traded words and whipped up sentiment and conjectures to disapprove of each others decision.

Matters came to a head when the governor fired appointees and government officials who are kinsmen of his new adversaries.

But in what could be said to be eating the humble pie, Umahi has now tendered an unreserved apology to the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim and the former Governor, Sam Ominyi Egwu

Addressing stakeholders of the state and APC supporters at the ground-breaking of FMBN/NLC/TUC/NECA housing estate that took place at Uburu community, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi state, Umahi said, as the first citizen of the state, it behooves on him to make sure the state does not plunge into crisis.

Umahi said he hoped his apology would be enough to end the raging feud between him and his former allies.

While imploring his supporters and government officials not to attack anyone again, he said the attacks against his government would no longer be responded to.

He said “let me publicly say it here, that I have directed that nobody should abuse anybody again even if I’m abused, it goes with the job. Do not respond to them.

“I am the father of the state. And I should be ashamed of myself if the state of Ebonyi is allowed to go into bitterness and into disunity.

“I have decided to move forward. I have decided to forgive all and at the cost of this, those who may have been hurt because I take responsibility for the actions of all my government officials. And for all my supporters.

“I offer apologies to them. I am not going to sit on the judgment with anybody. These apologies and forgiveness should be enough to settle all bad bloods. And I have no regrets for that. God directed me to do this. And I thank all our leaders who have intervened.

“I thank the Catholic Bishop Nnachi Okoro, I thank CAN people led by the chairman Rev. Dr Abraham Nwali, I thank the founding fathers, I thank the Ohanaeze leadership led by Chief Nnia Nwodo, Uchenna Madu and all the leaders of the south east.

“Never again shall we respond to any attack against our government. It is not necessary, but facts speak for itself,” he stated.