David Umahi Explained

David Umahi
Office:Minister of Works
President:Bola Tinubu
Term Start:21 August 2023
Predecessor:Babatunde Fashola
Office1:Senator for Ebonyi South
Term Start1:13 June 2023
Term End1:August 2023
Predecessor1:Michael Ama Nnachi
Successor1:Anthony Okorie Ani
Office2:Governor of Ebonyi State
Deputy2:Eric Kelechi Igwe
Term Start2:29 May 2015
Term End2:29 May 2023
Predecessor2:Martin Elechi
Successor2:Francis Nwifuru
Office3:Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State
Governor3:Martin Elechi
Term Start3:29 May 2011
Term End3:29 May 2015
Successor3:Eric Kelechi Igwe
Birth Name:David Nweze Umahi
Birth Date:25 July 1963
Birth Place:Uburu, Eastern Region (now in Ebonyi State), Nigeria
Party:All Progressives Congress
Spouse:Rachael Umahi
Relations:Austin Umahi
Occupation:Politician
Alma Mater:

David Nweze Umahi (born 25 July 1963) is a Nigerian politician who serves as the minister of works of Nigeria. He previously served as the senator representing Ebonyi South senatorial district from June to August 2023, and as the governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023; and deputy governor from 2011 to 2015.

On 16 August 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed him as minister of works following his nomination, screening and approval by the senate.[1] He was sworn into office on 21 August 2023.

Early life and education

Umahi was born 25 July 1964. He is the son of Elder Joseph Umahi Nwaze and Margaret Umahi of Umunaga, Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area, now in Ebonyi State.[2] [3] Umahi received his secondary education from Ishiagu High School and the Government Secondary School of Afikpo before entering the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in 1982. He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.[4]

In 1990, he co-founded Norman Engineering and Construction Nig. Limited with Ombo Isokarari and served as its general manager until 1993. Until 2011, he served as chairman and CEO of Brass Engineering & Construction Nig. Ltd.,[5] Focus Investment Nig. Ltd., and Osborn La Palm Royal Resort Ltd.[6] He is from a home of nine comprising two females and seven males, including Major-General Obi Abel Umahi (Rtd.),[7] the former chairman of the South-East Security Committee, Ebubeagu but resigned in May 2021.[8] Roy Umahi Nwaeze, a legal practitioner,[9] Austin Umahi Nweze who was the former south east vice chairman of the People's Democratic Party.[10] [11]

Politics

Umahi entered public service in 2007 as the acting chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the People's Democratic Party.[12] From 2009 to 2011, he served as state chairman of the party. During that term, he served a year on the governing board of the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba as its chairman.[13]

In 2011, Umahi became the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State on a ticket with the-then Governor Martin Elechi. However, in 2014, Governor Elechi supported Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, as his successor, which Umahi stated violated an understanding that he would take that role.[14] [15] Umahi went ahead to defeat Chukwu in the primaries.[16] The remainder of Elechi's term was chaotic, with arson hitting the House of Assembly in February 2015 and motions taken to impeach him later that month over alleged unconstitutional gross misconduct, misappropriation of funds and anti-party activities.[17] Umahi was elected to the role of Governor on 12 April 2015 on the platform of People's Democratic Party (PDP).[18] The election was later challenged by the Labour Party, All Progressives Congress and All Progressives Grand Alliance on the basis of "widespread irregularities, killings, and wanton destruction of property".[19] [20] In October 2015, the legitimacy of the election was upheld by the Governorship Election Tribunal.[21]

On the 16 March 2019, Umahi was re-elected as governor in the Ebonyi state governorship election. He polled 393,343 votes to defeat APC's Sonny Ogbuoji who polled 81,703 votes.[22] Umahi won APC Ebonyi South Senatorial district elections in 2022.[23]

Defection to the APC

On 11 November 2020 Umahi declared his intention to join the All Progressives Congress and on 17 November 2020 he officially defected to the party after a long time speculation. Umahi made his declaration of joining the APC for reasons according to him, one of them being that " ...the People's Democratic Party has been unfair to the Southeast Geopolitical Zone..." and secondly, "...that it has been hijacked by one or two individuals". He also doused the speculation against him that he joined the APC because he wanted a presidential ticket which wasn't promised to him in the PDP by saying that he would quit politics in 2023 after leaving office as governor.[24]

President Muhammadu Buhari also congratulated Umahi for his defection to the APC, he described it as a bold step driven by principle rather than opportunistic moves or coercion[25] [26]

On 11 January 2022 Umahi declared his intention to run for the office of the President of Nigeria in the 2023 general elections after consulting with President Muhammadu Buhari just days after the declaration of a leader in the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This conflicts with his earlier statement when he defected to the APC that he would quit politics after his tenure as governor.[27]

On 8 March 2022 Umahi and his deputy Eric Kelechi Igwe were sacked as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively by the Federal High Court in Abuja for defecting to the All Progressives Congress while in office. The court said that the popular votes given to Umahi belonged to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and by defecting from the party the office ceases to be theirs. The court immediately ordered the PDP to submit the name of their gubernatorial candidate to INEC or for a fresh gubernatorial election to be conducted in Ebonyi State.[19] [28] [29] On 11 March 2022, the State High Court granted Umahi and his Deputy Eric Kelechi Igwe interim of seven days in office.[30] [31] On 1 April 2022, The Court of Appeal in Enugu State affirmed Umahi as Governor of Ebonyi State, saying his defection to the APC was immoral but not unconstitutional while affirming an earlier judgement by the Federal High Court in Ebonyi.[32] However the grounds for the sack of Umahi by the Federal High Court in Abuja is different from the Federal High Court in Ebonyi. The Court of Appeal in Abuja is yet to hear the appeal of the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Corruption allegations

On 29 January 2021, Peoples Gazette reported that throughout Umahi's tenure as deputy governor and governor, he had transferred more than ₦3.6 billion in government money to his company, Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited. Bank records showed the payments starting in 2011, when Umahi became deputy governor to Martin Elechi, and continued into his term as governor.[33] In response, Umahi and an aide threatened Peoples Gazette reporters on phone calls[34] and the Peoples Gazette website was blocked,[35] before requesting a retraction and ₦1 billion as "atonement" from the newspaper.[36] After the paper stood by its story, Umahi sued the Peoples Gazette for defamation and demanded ₦2 billion in damages.[37]

Personal life

Dave Umahi is married to Rachael Umahi.[38] She is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Chukwu and Eunice Akpa of Umuobuna, Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Award

In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander Of The Order Of The Niger (CON) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.[39]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tolu-Kolawole . Deborah . 2023-08-16 . BREAKING: Tinubu appoints Wike Minister of FCT, Umahi, Minister of Works . 2023-08-16 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  2. Web site: Founders. daveumahifoundation.com. 2015-10-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125103810/http://daveumahifoundation.com/founders.php. 2015-11-25. dead.
  3. Web site: David Umahi: Nigerian governors mourn with Ebonyi state governor over mum's death. Gbenga. Dada. Pulse.ng. 10 October 2015. 21 October 2015. 25 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125164212/http://pulse.ng/local/david-umahi-nigerian-governors-mourn-with-ebonyi-state-governor-over-mums-death-id4247911.html. live.
  4. Web site: Africaprimenews . 2018-07-27 . Apostle Umahi The Shining Star Of Nigerian Politics & His Remarkable Feats . 2024-03-07 . Africa Prime News . en-GB.
  5. Web site: Africaprimenews . 2018-07-27 . Apostle Umahi The Shining Star Of Nigerian Politics & His Remarkable Feats . 2024-03-07 . Africa Prime News . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Africaprimenews . 2018-07-27 . Apostle Umahi The Shining Star Of Nigerian Politics & His Remarkable Feats . 2024-03-07 . Africa Prime News . en-GB.
  7. Web site: How Ebonyi Governor's Brother, Retired Maj. Gen. Umahi Tortured, Executed Ken Saro-Wiwa, 8 Other Ogoni Activists. Sahara Reporters. 25 October 2021. Sahara Reporters. 10 March 2022. 10 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220310200642/http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/25/how-ebonyi-governor%E2%80%99s-brother-retired-maj-gen-umahi-tortured-executed-ken-saro-wiwa-8. live.
  8. Web site: 7 June 2021. Umahi resigns as chairman Southeast security committee. Damian. Duruiheoma. Enugu. 7 June 2021. The Nation. en-US. 7 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210607164217/https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-umahi-resigns-as-chairman-southeast-security-committee/. live.
  9. Web site: Ebonyi: PDP, Umahi's brother in war of words over High Court's judgement. 4 March 2022. Godwin. Aliuna. Daily Post. 10 March 2022. 8 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220308025338/https://dailypost.ng/2022/03/04/ebonyi-pdp-umahis-brother-in-war-of-words-over-high-courts-judgement/. live.
  10. Web site: EFCC arrests governor brother, others over alleged N400m campaign funds. Lawrence. Njoku. Enugu. 31 August 2016. 10 March 2022. The Guardian. en-US. 10 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220310200641/https://guardian.ng/news/efcc-arrests-governor-brother-others-over-alleged-n400m-campaign-funds/. live.
  11. Web site: Buhari's days are numbered, says South East PDP vice chairman. Nnamdi. Akpa. Abakaliki. 25 July 2018. The Guardian. 10 March 2022. 10 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220310200640/https://guardian.ng/news/buharis-days-are-numbered-says-south-east-pdp-vice-chairman/. live.
  12. Web site: The Biography of Egnr. Dave Umahiezumezu OHANIVO. www.ezumezuohanivo.com. 2015-10-21.
  13. Web site: Africaprimenews . 2018-07-27 . Apostle Umahi The Shining Star Of Nigerian Politics & His Remarkable Feats . 2024-03-07 . Africa Prime News . en-GB.
  14. Web site: Lessons from Elechi's loss of Ebonyi PDP. Dennis. Agbo. Enugu. The Nation. 31 December 2014. 8 March 2022. 8 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220308151805/https://thenationonlineng.net/lessons-elechis-loss-ebonyi-pdp/. live.
  15. Web site: 2015: The Battle for Ebonyi. Peter. Okutu. 20 July 2014. 8 March 2022. Vanguard. 8 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220308151803/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/2015-battle-ebonyi/. live.
  16. Web site: Ebonyi PDP crisis: Jonathan meets Elechi, Umahi, others. Elizabeth. Archibong. Abuja. 4 March 2015. Business Day. 8 March 2022. 15 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220315232838/https://businessday.ng/uncategorized/article/ebonyi-pdp-crisis-jonathan-meets-elechi-umahi-others/. live.
  17. Web site: Ebonyi: Fiery meltdown! - Vanguard News. Peter. Okutu. Vanguard News. 25 February 2015. 21 October 2015. 25 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125162535/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/ebonyi-fiery-meltdown/. live.
  18. Web site: Ugwueze . Emmanuel . 2015-04-15 . Ebonyi Labour Party rejects poll results, moves to tribunal . 2023-12-21 . Daily Post Nigeria . en-US.
  19. Web site: INEC declares Umahi winner of Ebonyi governorship election. 12 April 2015. Peter. Okutu. Vanguard. 8 March 2022. 8 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220308151802/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/inec-declares-umahi-winner-of-ebonyi-governorship-election/. live.
  20. Web site: PDP's Umahi Declared Winner Of Ebonyi Governorship Poll. Channels Television. Channels Television. 2015-10-21. 2015-09-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210234/http://www.channelstv.com/2015/04/13/pdps-umahi-declared-winner-of-ebonyi-governorship-polls/. live.
  21. Web site: Tribunal upholds Governor David Umahi's election - Premium Times Nigeria. James. Eze. Premium Times. 16 October 2015. 2015-10-21. 2015-10-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20151017110658/http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/191623-tribunal-upholds-governor-david-umahis-election.html. live.
  22. Web site: It's official: David Umahi wins Ebonyi governorship election. James. Eze. 10 March 2019. Premium Times. 13 March 2019. 11 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190311004231/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/319292-its-official-david-umahi-wins-ebonyi-governorship-election.html. live.
  23. Web site: Royal . David O. . 2022-08-01 . Umahi wins APC Ebonyi South Senatorial district fresh election . 2022-10-05 . Vanguard News . en-GB.
  24. Web site: 2020-11-17. Why I dumped PDP for APC -- Umahi. James. Eze. 2020-11-19. en-GB. Premium Times. 2020-11-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20201117232610/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/426591-why-i-dumped-pdp-for-apc-umahi.html. live.
  25. Web site: 2020-11-18. President Buhari Praises Umahi's Defection, Says It Is Based On Principle Rather Than Coercion. Daniel. Adebayo. 2020-11-19. Daily Concord News. en-US. 2020-11-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20201118184427/https://dailyconcordnews.com/2020/11/18/president-buhari-praises-umahis-defection-says-it-is-based-on-principle-rather-than-coercion/. live.
  26. Web site: 2020-11-18. Buhari commends Umahi for defecting to APC Premium Times Nigeria. Premium. Times. 2020-11-19. en-GB. Premium Times. 2020-11-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20201118194844/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/426791-buhari-commends-umahi-for-defecting-to-apc.html. live.
  27. Web site: David Umahi Declares Interest To Run For President In 2023. Gloria. Ume-Ezeoke. 11 January 2022. 8 March 2022. Channels Television. 8 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220308143342/https://www.channelstv.com/2022/01/11/breaking-david-umahi-declares-interest-to-run-for-president-in-2023/. live.
  28. Web site: Banjo . Noah . 8 March 2022 . BREAKING: Court sacks Umahi, deputy over defection to APC . 8 March 2022 . . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308125329/https://punchng.com/breaking-court-sacks-umahi-deputy-over-defection-to-apc/ . live .
  29. Web site: Olabimtan . Bolanle . 8 March 2022 . BREAKING: Court sacks Umahi, deputy over defection to APC . 8 March 2022 . . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308125752/https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-court-sacks-umahi-deputy-over-defection-to-apc . live .
  30. Web site: Ebonyi court grants Umahi, deputy permission to remain in office for 7 days. Bolanle. Olabimtan. 11 March 2022. TheCable. 13 March 2022. 12 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220312231730/https://www.thecable.ng/ebonyi-court-orders-umahi-deputy-to-remain-in-office. live.
  31. Web site: Ebonyi State High Court Reaffirms Earlier Judgement On Umahi, Deputy. Channels Television. 11 March 2022. 13 March 2022. Channels Television. 12 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220312231455/https://www.channelstv.com/2022/03/11/ebonyi-state-high-court-reaffirms-earlier-judgement-on-umahi-deputy/. live.
  32. Web site: 2022-04-01 . Appeal Court upholds defection of Gov Umahi, deputy . 2022-04-01 . Vanguard News . en-US.
  33. Web site: Princewill . Nimi . EXCLUSIVE: Bank documents expose how Governor Umahi transferred billions to his company from Ebonyi treasury . . 29 January 2021 . 29 June 2021 . 29 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210629053421/https://gazettengr.com/exclusive-bank-documents-expose-how-governor-umahi-transferred-billions-to-his-company-from-ebonyi-treasury/ . live .
  34. Web site: Princewill . Nimi . AUDIO: Governor Umahi threatens to kill Peoples Gazette reporters over Ebonyi corruption story . Peoples Gazette . 30 January 2021 . 29 June 2021 . 18 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210218065106/https://www.gazettengr.com/audio-governor-umahi-threatens-to-kill-peoples-gazette-reporters-over-ebonyi-corruption-story/ . live .
  35. Web site: Nigerian news website Peoples Gazette blocked, threatened with legal action . 5 February 2021 . . 29 June 2021 . 9 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182655/https://cpj.org/2021/02/nigerian-news-website-peoples-gazette-blocked-threatened-with-legal-action/ . live .
  36. Web site: Princewill . Nimi . Despite evidence, death threats, Governor Umahi moves to sue Peoples Gazette for N1 billion . Peoples Gazette . 2 February 2021 . 29 June 2021 . 9 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181114/https://gazettengr.com/despite-evidence-death-threats-governor-umahi-moves-to-sue-peoples-gazette-for-n1-billion/ . live .
  37. Web site: Olokor . Friday . Umahi sues online newspaper for defamation, demands N2bn . . April 2021 . 29 June 2021 . 28 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210628124500/https://punchng.com/umahi-sues-online-newspaper-for-defamation-demands-n2bn/ . live .
  38. Web site: Izuchukwu. Ojibe. Meet Rachael Umahi, Wife of Former Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi. Paper Nigeria . November 2020 . 3 May 2024 .
  39. Web site: 2022-10-09 . FULL LIST: 2022 National Honours Award Recipients The Nation Newspaper . 2022-10-31 . en-US.

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