NEWS ANALYSIS: The Ebonyi Political Crisis And Umahi Politics Of Probe

Posted by African Examiner Featured Contributors/Columnists, Latest Headlines Saturday, May 16th, 2015

From Ignatius Okpara, Abakaliki – The recent stage managed reconciliation between Ebonyi governor, chief Martin Nwancho Elechi, and his Deputy who is also the governor-elect in the state, Engineer Dave Umahi, may have collapsed, as the incoming chief executive of the state, has vowed to probe all financial activities of the outgoing administration in the past eight years.

African Examiner recalled that Governor Elecchi, secretary to the government of the Federation, SGF, chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Umahi, and other power brokers in the state, had been at logger head prior and after the general elections, over who controls the political soul of the state.

The development, latter degenerated to a level that some of the state lawmakers, loyal to the Anyim/ Umahi, camp had to embarked on an impeachment process on the governor, after he completely lost control of the ruling peoples Democratic party, PDP, structure in the area.

Even though, the impeachment project failed, governor Elechi, has not known peace since the purported re-conciliatory meeting was held between him and all his perceived political enemies, especially the governor- elect.

Since after the purported peace was brokered by some elder statesmen in the state, nothing much has really changed in the political war.

For instance, the state legislators, disposed to the Omahi camp, had continued to make governance difficult for the octogenarian out going governor, through clamping down on commissioners, Heads of government parasatals and Departments, as well use of the anti graft agency, the Economic And Financial Crime Commission, EFCC in freezing accounts of local government Areas, among other unfriendly acts, in the name of over sight functions.

A close associate of the state governor Elect, who craved anonymity with this writer, had recently disclosed that no amount of peace, or reconciliation between the outgoing governor and all stakeholders, will stop the incoming chief executive of the state, His Excellency, Engineer David Umahi, from probing the financial recklessness of the Elechi, led government in the past eight years.

The source said the incoming administration would be doing more harm than good to the tax payers and good people of the state, should it fail to dig into the alarming alleged financial misconduct by the outgoing governor and his eldest son, Nnana Elechi, (junior), who has been handling virtually all the capital projects in the state, since his father took over mantle of leadership of the state in the last eight years.

“Without sounding sentimental, a lot of things had really gone wrong in our dear poor state, in the last eight years, and there is need for the incoming government to probe some of these misdeeds, especially the issue of financial recklessness with impunity” the source stated.

However, in line with the position of the source, the state, governor, elect Engineer Dave Umahi, had recently at a public fora in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital, declared that his administration will review all ongoing projects in the state, saying that no one will run away with money stolen from the state.

Although, he tactically said that the incumbent governor, Martin Elechi, meant well for the state, but that many things have been happening without him being aware of the true situation, such that some persons are suspected to have looted the state.

Umahi, explained that he would not allow the visions and labour of the forebears of the state go down the drain as occasioned by some projects executors whose main goal was to cheat the people of Ebonyi state.

The governor elect, spoke during a meeting with the state branch of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in Abakaliki the state capital.

Umahi, had earlier disclosed his resolve to investigate the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the 13 local government councils of the state.

His administration he warned, would not condone corruption in any form.

The incoming governor, had assured the CAN leadership in the state, that he would run an open administration where various stakeholders in the state would participate in major decision taking.

He explained that the situation where people were led without their input on issues that touch them was over, noting that even the funds that accrue to the state would be of public knowledge so that everybody, including the workers would be operating from the same page.

The Duputy governor, had thanked the CAN members for boldly standing for the truth when it matters, and pledged to fulfill all his campaign promises the people.

He expressed the hope that God who gave him the visions to vie for the election, would also empower him with the requisite enablement to fulfill all the promises.

Umahi, told the christian body that after being sworn in on 29th May 2015 the state government would take off with praying and fasting from May 30th to June 6th 2015.

Earlier, the CAN chairman in the state , Rev. Emmanuel Nshii assured the incoming governor that they would continue to pray for his administration and the state, urging him to provide a conducive environment for continued cordial relationship between him and the Christian organization.

He said that they were not in doubt as to his pedigree, but advised him to remain guided by the words of God, expressing the belief that his elevation was an act of God.