A write-up with the above caption, authored, circulated and published by Barr. Valentine Obienyem, the Spokesman of Mr. Peter Obi, the NDC Presidential Candidate in January, 2027 general election hit the social media with an audacious motives all targeted against one person. His Excellency, Senator David Umahi, the Honourbale Minister of Works.
Since we are dealing on Umahi as subject matter in Obienyem's postulation and crucifixion for speaking out for Ndigbo to be wise, let’s briefly reflect on the cryptic conclusion of his judgement that condensed his scribal judgement against the Honourbale Minister of works.
Obviously and unfortunately too, Obienyem's ridiculous attacks on Umahi in his statement which he captioned : "Dave Umahi and Incestuous Reasoning" which he personally sent to my inbox has given a dual diametrically opposed impulses; laughter and derision on the one hand, and sadness and pity on the other.
Valentine Obienyem is my friend and we share a lot in common as former Seminarians but the sadness and pity associated with his write-up has compelled me to assess elements of his thoughts and allegations against my Principal which are prominently lacking in distillation and so recklessly malicious in all intents and purposes.
"A prime example in the South East is Governor Charles Cain Soludo, who appears perpetually bent on cutting down his younger brother, Mr Peter Abel Obi. Closely allied to him in temperament, though far more crude and unrefined, is Engr Dave Umahi.
Here; let's metaphorically fit Umahi into the unedifying jacket in his write up, Obienyem described both his Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and Senator David Umahi as CAINS, ones who killed or intend to kill their brother (Peter). Such careless statement projects Peter Obi as the Abel and whoever has opposing views to his, automatically becomes Cain.
Another angle to his views is that Umahi has exhibited tendencies that easily give him away as someone who kills his own brother from South East. It is no longer as a result of political differences arising from political afflitaion. Whoever disagrees or does not support Peter Obi is a bad man. HABA!
This assertion is altogether baseless and there is no shred of evidence to sustain it. The underlying truth in the assertion is that a genuine, transformative leader like Umahi who is propelled by sense of history must always have the best interests of his people at heart and then project it whenever in a position like the one he is occupying now.
Obienyem further said "There is not a method by which the emotions of the people can be aroused or inflamed that Umahi is not prepared to employ. He has perfected the politics of emotional provocation, ethnic insinuation and calculated grievance, deploying each whenever it suits the political moment"
Sadly, the weight of evidence against this emotive and sensational tirade against Senator Umahi by Peter Obi and Obienyem is very formidable and predictable that the only sin Umahi has committed is his vocal advocacy for Ndigbo to correct their 2023 mistake of wasting their votes on emotion as Nigeria decides in 2027.
Come to think of it, why would a supposedly right thinking man with a certain level of education embark on such a disreputable campaign to traduce and malign a fellow man because they disagree on political grounds? There is no reason for the attack on Umahi because he is galvanizing support and votes from his people for President Bola Tinubu.
From the angle of pity arising from Obienyem's pen, he alluded: "In any civilised polity, a man of Umahi’s current standing should be busy answering serious questions arising from controversies that have surrounded his political career, including the young lady that recently died in his house. Instead, he surfaced a few days ago to proclaim that Ebonyi people should not vote for Igbos originating from outside Ebonyi State. He singled out Peter Obi, ridiculously challenging him to name a single Ebonyi indigene he employed during his tenure as governor. He also accused Obi of maintaining silence when a street in Anambra State was renamed from Abakaliki Street to Club Road. I remember that I personally wrote against it, describing it as a harebrained act by Gov. Willie Obiano, probably borne out of his obsession with clubs, which he himself visited with abandon.
In answering his questions about Umahi's performance, be it in public or private service, I make bold to say that his performance is widely acknowledged and celebrated which tends to stir Obi's bile and provokes the worst of his nature. On the death of the Nurse in Umahi's residence as a campaign topic, I rather advise Obienyem and his principal to understand and respect the sanctity of human life. Death is a natural phenomenon and it can meet anyone anywhere. With the level of hate exhibited in this write up, one would have asked if Umahi was culpable in the death of the lady and he is still walking the streets free when people like Obi still exist.
On the number of Ebonyi people appointed by Obi throughout his eight years as Governor of Anambra State since he claims to be the only holy one in Igbo land, I expected my brother, Obienyem to use the opportunity as always done by his principal to mention one or two persons so ever favoured or appointed in line with his signature quote "go and verify"; but I didn't see any.
Umahi is far much a better Igbo man and a believer of Igbo unity than Peter Obi. This was evident in his appointments as Governor of Ebonyi State where he even appointed a lady from Peter Obi's Agulu community as a Technical Assistant to the Governor. Under the same administration, a quite number of Anambra sons and daughters were appointed into various positions including members of the State Executive Council.
To mention but a few, Hon Charles Akpuenika from Awkuzu, Oyi local government area of Anambra State was Commissioner for Youth and Sports for eight years in Umahi's administration. Mr. Chinaco Nzeakor was SA to the Governor of Internal Security, while Mrs. Rose Ezeadikwa from Neni in Anaocha local government area, a neighbouring community to Obi"s was appointed Member of Board and now Special Assistant to the Governor. In addition, Rev Euphraim Ononye from Obosi in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State was Chairman Ebonyi State Pilgrims Board. Many others were appointed as Technical and Senior Technical Assistants to the Governor. These happened all under the administration of Governor Umahi. Under Umahi as the Chairman of PDP in Ebonyi State, Dr. Jap Okolo from Oraifite was a member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly. Dr. Ifeanyi Ike was Commissioner for Information and also commissioner for Solid Minerals and many more.
So the call for Ndi Ebonyi to vote President Bola Tinubu by Umahi is within his rights to campaign for his principal, Mr. President without being labeled an enemy because he's not supporting Peter Obi. Umahi left Ebonyi State a united state and has never been an agent of religious or ethnic politics. Unlike Peter Obi who is widely known for his religious and ethnic inclinations. The leaked audio of YES DADDY between Peter Obi and Pastor Oyedepo in 2023 is still fresh in Nigerians' memories.
Obienyem wrote thus: "The pertinacity with which Umahi sometimes speaks unadulterated nonsense is rivalled only by Soludo. Governor Hope Uzodimma may harbour bigger political ambitions in the coming dispensation, but the difference lies in the need to study his maturity, composure and political restraint. Ambition, after all, is not merely about how loudly one announces oneself; it is also about the discipline with which one carries oneself when power is within reach"
Senator Umahi is unrivalled when it comes to sense of commitment and he is never driven by greed and primitive quest for power being exhibited by Peter Obi's desperation. Umahi's sense of placing community above and beyond everything else, including self-interest and personal ambition can not be faulted no matter how hard Obienyem tries to dimisih that by his statement above.
Ebonyi people are witnesses to the fact that Umahi has not only lived by these principles but have done so in a manner that some have described as obsessive. You can not just come in contact with Umahi; without loving him. In fact, over here in Ebonyi State and by extension, South East, we like leaders that are obsessive about our wellbeing and if such person like Umahi is enthused with bigger responsibility by way of political office, he couldn't have been said to be talking 'nonsense'
On the issue of Umahi's remarks as regards Obi"s supposed conspiracy of silence over the renaming of Abakaliki Street by Governor Willie Obiano, Obienyem's defense of his principal has hit the rocks because there is till date, no evidence whatsoever to back up his claims.
Valentine Obienyem has launched an unwarranted and altogether pointless assault on Umahi, deploying as an alibi, the side story of Abakaliki Street in Awka, Anambra State.
There is therefore, no empirical evidence to drive Obienyem's invectives against Umahi as one who hates his brothers especially Obi just because of mere disagreement over choice of Presidential candidates to vote for.
All attempts to paint Umahi as an enemy of Ndigbo have failed because a man who points to a new direction that will favour Ndigbo at the most critical moment of their existence can not be an enemy, rather a great asset.
Umahi has demonstrated the great and undying spirit of Ndigbo by discharging his duties as the Honourbale Minister of Works in President Tinubu's administration to the admiration of all, he has represented us very well and has not been found wanting. This alone is one of the many good sides of Umahi which Obi's aide laboured to dimisih.
Now, the man, Umahi is not backing down on his conviction that the South East will definitely get her shot at the topmost position in the country one day and he's not bothered who becomes the lucky one but he's laying a foundation for a solid outing and if at the end, the lot falls on him, the best for Ndigbo. No political arrow fired at him by those who believe they are more Igbo than Umahi shall ever work.
Emmanuel Uzor is the former Chief Press Secretary to Governor David Umahi.
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