Get Guardian on Google……defends Umahi’s infrastructure record, urges respect for party leadership
The Association of Former APC State Chairmen (AFSC-APC) has thrown its weight behind the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, over his contributions to the development of the South-East, dismissing criticisms of his performance as misplaced and politically motivated.
The National Coordinator of the association, Hon. Basil Ejidike, who spoke against the backdrop of the recent verbal attacks on Umahi by popular socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, said the minister’s record in public service deserved recognition rather than personal attacks.
Ejidike, a former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, particularly faulted what he described as the growing disregard for elders and constituted authority, urging public figures to exercise restraint in their comments about national leaders.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, he described the attacks on Umahi as unfortunate and misplaced, questioning the basis for comparing the minister’s achievements with those of the socialite.
“These days, people appear to have thrown every decorum to the dogs. People no longer have respect for their elders and constituted authority. Where is the line or comparison between Distinguished Senator Dave Umahi and Cubana Chief Priest?” he queried.
Describing the criticisms as lacking substance, Ejidike argued that those questioning Umahi’s contributions to national development should first examine his record as governor of Ebonyi State and his current responsibilities as Minister of Works.
He maintained that Umahi’s administration in Ebonyi recorded remarkable achievements in infrastructure development, challenging critics to identify former governors whose records could match his performance.
“Apart from Governor Wike of Rivers State, I stand to be corrected if any past governor of any state had equalled the achievements of Senator Umahi as governor of Ebonyi State in terms of provision of infrastructure,” he said.
The former APC chairman also defended Umahi’s performance as Minister of Works, describing his stewardship as credible and insisting that he remained among the high-performing ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
On criticisms of Umahi’s contributions to the South-East, Ejidike argued that the region had fared better under his current ministerial portfolio than under many of his predecessors.
He, however, stressed that Umahi’s responsibilities as a federal minister extended beyond the South-East, noting that his position required him to serve the entire country.
Ejidike also dismissed objections to the governorship ambition of Umahi’s son, arguing that the younger Umahi should not be denied the opportunity to pursue a political career because of his father’s previous tenure as governor.
“That Senator Umahi’s son is aspiring to be governor of Ebonyi State, eight years after his father, is it a crime? Should the young man be restricted in life simply because his father was once the governor of the state? Should he not even aspire to be more than what his father had been?” he asked.
The AFSC-APC coordinator called for an end to personal attacks and political mudslinging, urging political actors and public figures to respect party leadership and channel their energies towards constructive engagement and national development.
