LR: Umahi and Akpuenika.
The Immediate Past Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports in Ebonyi, Hon. Charlse Akpuenika has said that Minister of Works, Engr. Sen. David Umahi remains a bastion of exemplary leadership despite unfounded criticism, especially from opposition elements in the state.
Akpuenika who is a Legislative Aide to the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, was reacting to a spate of negative comments against the Immediate Past Governor of Ebonyi, by a Former Commissioner for Information in the state, Chief Abia Onyike.
The former commissioner said that it was only a fragmented mind that will not accept that the glory Ebonyi is basking-in today, was made possible by Umahi.
"It will be difficult to reel Umahi's achievements or legacies in office because they encompass all facets of the well-being of the state.
"The man known as the oracle of infrastructural development placed Ebonyi on the. pinnacle of infrastructural development in the country with breadth-taking and modern concrete roads, bridges, flyovers, and various forms of architectural masterpieces.
"This giant stride in the infrastructural development sector earned him acclaim from all over the country and the world and such earned him the position of the Minister of Works.
"President Ahmed Tinubu has unmatched trust in Umahi and he is already repaying such trust by his impact in revamping federal roads across the country to the amazement of all,".
He noted that politically, Umahi's sagacity has made the state one of the most peaceful in the country, free of political rancour or violence with the utmost promotion of the freedom of expression and choice.
"The All Progressives Congress (APC) has become the major beneficiary as it controls almost all political positions in the state.
"The popular refrain now is when will others join the APC as the rate stakeholders from opposition political parties join the APC daily is alarming.
"People like Onyike will agree that this surge of defection is not imposed or stampeded but the willing acceptance of the APC ideology and delivery of democratic dividends as championed by Umahi,".
Akpuenika noted that one of the greatest gifts of Umahi to the state is his succession plan which gave rise to the incumbent Governor, Francis Nwifuru.
"A good person will always produce good things as Umahi and Nwifuru struck an endearing balance when the latter was the Speaker of the State House of Assembly during the former governor's eight-year spell as governor.
"Nwifuru ensured the most peaceful House of Assembly reign which enabled the executive arm to concentrate without undue distraction, to implement programmes and policies that benefited the people.
"As the father of the state, Umahi championed the charter of equity dictum which ensured that Nwifuru, from the northern senatorial zone, emerged governor, in reciprocation of the zone's role to make Umahi, from the south, a governor in 2015,".
He noted that if not for unexplained hatred and bitterness, people like Onyike are aware and can confirm that during Umahi's reign as governor, Ebonyi broke world records in prudent management of resources.
"The state was the most prudent in the use of public resources in Nigeria (Budgit Office 2021), the best in Capital Budget implementation/investment in capital projects and the best in Economic Growth (Budgit Office 2021).
"The state was the 2nd Best State in 2021 Fiscal performance rating (Budget Office 2012), the least indebted State in the South East (and 33rd in Nigeria) (Budget Office 2021); the 4th best on controlled borrowing and the best in South-East (Budgit 2021).
"Ebonyi was the 4th best in investment towards self-reliance (Road to State’s viability); above average in maternal mortality ratio (2018 World Bank State of States Health index) and one of the 10 best States in Economic Development Performance (Philips Performance Index of the Year 2020)"
He also posited that Ebonyi was one of the 5 best States in Nigeria (2020 State Fiscal Sustainability Index); one of the largest producers of Rice in Nigeria in the Year 2012 (Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment) and the 2nd best in Empowerment and Job Creation in South-East (National Bureau of Statistics in 2020).
"The state had the Local Government Area out of the 774 Local Government Areas at produced the highest number of undergraduates admitted to Nigerian universities in the year 2017, among other performance indices.
"This and many more evidential facts deduced that Umahi is on a steady trajectory of excellence in governance as we urge him to disregard the antics of naysayers and continue glowing,".
