Perplexity in Ebonyi

Gov. Dave Umahi

The emergence of a new government in Ebonyi State has opened the door for a new era considering the leadership style and personalities of both Governor Dave Umahi and his deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe who are determined to transform the state. Many loyalists of the immediate past governor, Chief Martins Elechi who had convinced him not to allow his then deputy to take over from him have been perplexed at the policies and mode of administration of the new government in the state.

 Governor Umahi has been applauded for the maturity so far exhibited by him as many who had expected him to dissolved all the Coordinators, Caretaker Committee Chairmen, permanent secretaries and witch-hunt contractors have been disappointed as he has allowed them to continue to play their roles in the administration of the state.

Many critics of Governor Umahi are still stunned over his appointment of members of the opposition political parties into his government; the appointment of the senatorial candidate for Ebonyi Central zone of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, during the last election, Prof Ben Odo as his Secretary to the State Government, SSG have so far baffled many in the state.

At different quarters, Governor Umahi who has been having series of meetings with stakeholders in the state including traditional rulers and Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has been hailed for his considerations and application of the human face he has brought into the administration of the state.

Many were apparently disappointed with the contents of his inaugural speech as they had expected him to make declarations of war against all those who did not vote for him during the last election. “We will govern for those who voted for us. We will govern for those who voted against us and we will govern for those who did not vote at all.

“Democracy is an excellent method through which the people have an opportunity to choose their preferred representatives. “But it is definitely not a means to exclude anybody from the affairs of the society or from the dividends of democracy. We are alert to these great instructions of democracy and we will obey”.

At different levels of governance, the people of the state see him as the people’s Governor as he has stated that the people will come first in his government, followed by infrastructure and then the economy.