It was a galore of celebration and victory dance throughout Ebonyi State on 30th January 2019 immediately after the All
Progressives Congress Presidential rally in Abakaliki the State capital of Ebonyi State when it becomes obvious that
Apostle Dr Dave Nweze Umahi the indefatigable Governor of Ebonyi State reelection bid received the blessings and
approval of all the opposition political parties particularly the APC in Ebonyi State.
This position becomes imperative after it took much pleas from the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole
for Senator Sunny Ogbuoji the APC Flag -Bearer in Ebonyi State to be recognized during the APC rally by most of the key
political actors of APC in the State and even when he was being introduced it was the shout of UMAHI! UMAHI! UMAHI!!! Ka
Anya ga eso (It is Umahi we will follow) that was been chorused by those that attended the rally.
Even when Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze the APC State Chairman tried in vain to castigate the administration of Engr. Dave
Umahi that the administration has not achieved anything for the State both President Muhammadu Buhari and some of the
important dignitaries busted into uncontrollably laughter indicating that Pastor Eze has succeeded in making himself a
laughing stock. These APC chieftains will be wondering how could any sane man utter such a statement that Governor Umahi
who was praised few minutes before the commencement of the rally for being the face of good governance in the country
that he didn't achieve anything in the state.
Lady Monica Ada Chidinma Eze the Founder and President of David Umahi Nweze Akuburoah Ebonyi Transformation Agenda
(DUNAETA), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) promoting and projecting good governance and virile democracy in Ebonyi
State made these remarks in a press statement circulated to the Media in Abakaliki on Thursday.
Monica, who expressed happiness, stated that it is only those from the dark kingdom that could visit Ebonyi without
acknowledging the great feats and transformation that the administration of Engr. Umahi has brought to the State.
“Truly, Governor Umahi is an enigma and epitome of what a leader should be and those of us from Ebonyi State thank God
for the special gift he gave to us through the coming of his son, Apostle Umahi and no effort or plot to truncate God's
vision for Ebonyi State through him will succeed” Monica said.
She commended Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu the former Governor of old Abia State and incumbent Minister of Science and Technology
and a key stakeholder in the State for the maturity he exhibited during the rally acknowledging before the world that
President Buhari is not only a good friend of Ebonyi State but that Ebonyi State was the first State in Nigeria apart
from Katsina State his home state where he slept, ate, drank and spent two days commissioning projects after projects.
The DUNAETA President eulogized President Buhari for his special love for Governor Umahi and pleaded with him to allow a
free and fair election in the State as we have only one creditable gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi State and that is
Apostle Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi and anybody working against his reelection bid is an enemy of the State.
Monica further commended Mr. President for assuring the government and people of Ebonyi State of his preparedness to
refund monies the state spent on federal projects after the review committee concludes auditing of the projects.
President who stated this during an audience with Governor David Umahi and other stakeholders at the State Government
House, Abakaliki also commended Governor David Umahi for the infrastructural development in the State.
Monica highlighted that President Buhari told the traditional rulers that his administration’s plans to invest in
agriculture was deliberate in order to improve the living standard of Nigerians and create alternative revenue for the
nation.
"But subsequently, we got drunk with oil money and abandoned what kept us intact. But we are going back to that
(agriculture),” President Buhari said.
He assured the monarchs that the South-East would benefit from second Niger Bridge when completed as it would enhance
movement of goods and services in and out of the region.
In his remarks, Governor David Umahi stated that the south east geopolitical zone have benefited from federal government
projects and added that the federal government’s agricultural programme has benefited the state immensely as the state
has comparative advantage in agriculture and solid minerals compared to other states within the zone and concluded by
thanking the President for approving the commencement of Ebonyi salt production.
In endorsing President Buhari and Governor Umahi the chairman of traditional rulers Council in Ebonyi State, Eze Charles
Mkpuma, said: “We appreciate your dogged determination to maintain utmost security of the country, especially your
effort in eliminating Boko Haram and fight against corruption, which has brought respect and integrity to the country in
the comity of nations.
“We believe that your robust relationship with our son, the Governor, and your love for him and the state will surely
earn you votes in Ebonyi State, irrespective of party differences.”
Ada Ebonyi commended the 140 Ebonyi traditional rulers that endorsed Buhari and Umahi for 2019 and concluded that with
this endorsement the coast is now clear for the proper victory celebration come March 2nd 2019.
Monica Eze who is also the Technical Adviser (TA) on Media to Governor Umahi counselled Senator Ogbuorji for his loss,
but assured him that she will set up a fund raising committee comprising herself as Chairperson, Hon. Collins Eze and
Hon. Solomon Woba and two other members of DUNAETA to raise enough funds to cushion the effects of whatever expenses
Senator Ogbuoji may have incurred so far in running his makeshift campaigns.