Ebonyi's PDP criticizes Umahi regarding his choice of a successor for the senatorial seat
The South Zone chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has strongly criticized former Governor David Umahi, who now serves as the Minister of Works, for openly stating that he will personally select his successor in the Senate.
The party finds it absurd that the former governor, who unilaterally vacated his Senate seat to pursue a ministerial appointment without consulting the constituents of Ebonyi South Zone, has now returned to assert his authority in choosing his successor in the Red Chamber.
Augustine Nwazunku, the Chairman of the state PDP chapter, emphasized in a statement released on Wednesday that Umahi should issue an apology for making such a questionable statement.
Umahi previously served as a senator representing the Ebonyi South District until he resigned from the position after being appointed as a minister by President Bola Tinubu.
During a courtesy visit to Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on September 9, Umahi made a public statement, asserting, "I have the prerogative to select my successor."
However, the PDP, in an official statement, expressed its concerns, stating, "We have taken notice of the troubling statement attributed to the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, where he claimed the authority to handpick his replacement in the Senate.
"We would like to emphasize that such a declaration from the Minister is entirely inappropriate given his stature. While it is true that Chief Umahi, who served as Governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023, was controversially elected to the Senate, he subsequently unilaterally vacated that position without consulting his constituents in the Ebonyi South Senatorial District, in pursuit of a ministerial appointment."
"It is incredibly absurd for him to return now and put forth such a laughable and undemocratic assertion that he should be given the authority to designate his successor in the Senate.
"First and foremost, we anticipated that an educated individual like Umahi would understand that the verdict of the Election Petitions Tribunal regarding the petitions lodged against him by his opponents in the February 2023 Senatorial elections was not the conclusive decision regarding his contentious election to the Senate.
"His rivals, Senator Mike Nnechi (PDP) and Hon. Linus Okorie, have already indicated their intention to appeal the Tribunal's ruling. Only when the legal proceedings are finalized will the matter of re-run elections or bye-elections be considered, depending on the ultimate outcome of the legal process."
The party has accused the minister of an abuse of power and has expressed that such behavior demonstrates a disregard for the law.
The statement read, "Umahi's preemptive push for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate preparations for fresh elections in Ebonyi South Senatorial District is a blatant display of arrogance and an unwarranted abuse of power. This further exemplifies Umahi's characteristic audacity and disregard for the rule of law.
"The right to choose their representatives in the National Assembly is a fundamental prerogative of the people of Ebonyi South Senatorial District. In the specific context of the current situation in the district, Umahi holds no authority to impose his will, as he once did during his tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State.
"Umahi should remain focused on his responsibilities as the Minister of Works under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and refrain from intervening in matters pertaining to the Ebonyi South Senatorial District, especially after relinquishing the controversial mandate he initially clung to."
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