Minister: Politicians I helped to power in 2023 now avoid me

Minister of Works David Umahi says most politicians he helped to power during the 2023 general election now avoid him.

Umahi said this while speaking with journalists in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

The minister said some National Assembly members whom he helped to power were among those who now avoid him, adding that he was not disturbed by their behaviour.

The immediate past governor of Ebonyi State said: “It is only Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi that will openly acknowledge that I am his father and boss.

“The others feel that by doing so, the state governor, my successor, will be angry with them.

“The governor cannot do that because he too openly acknowledges that I was instrumental to his emergence.”

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Umahi stated the development made him stop having political godsons but has opted for political friends.

He added: “I will fight anybody who makes trouble with the governor because he deserves our respect.

“I have done my part, have left the stage, and have to respect myself.”

The minister said there were usual crises between predecessors and successors, adding: “I am however not available for such because I have been so blessed in life by God.

“There are always pathways to successes and failures and when you dig for someone to fail, you have already failed.”

Umahi vowed to stick with Nwifuru for eight years and thanked God for giving the governor the grace to unite all leaders of Ebonyi State.

He said: “The issue of the leaders staying together for long is not our business but I have known the governor for 16 years and will continue to support him.

“I will never regret making him my successor as he, alongside few others, stood with me during the hard decision of defecting to the APC.”

The Star