Umahi Osborne, the son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has picked up the chairmanship nomination form for Ohaozara Local Government Area ahead of the forthcoming Ebonyi State local government elections.
He was among the aspirants endorsed by Governor Francis Nwifuru as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the council polls across the state’s 13 local government areas. The endorsement has sparked mixed reactions among political observers, with Mr Umahi describing it as a gesture of appreciation by the governor.
On Friday, Osborne, accompanied by supporters and well-wishers, obtained the N30 million nomination form at the party’s secretariat in Abakaliki. He declined to speak with journalists after the exercise.
The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori, who was present at the secretariat, expressed confidence in Osborne’s candidacy, describing him as a capable representative of the people. “He is truly a chip off the old block and will replicate his father’s achievements in Ebonyi, both as a former governor and as a minister at the national level,” Ori said.
“The people are firmly behind him and will demonstrate that support at the polls.” The political relationship between Mr Umahi and Governor Nwifuru dates back to 2008, when Umahi served as the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nwifuru was an ex-officio member.
Umahi later became governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023 and played a key role in ensuring Nwifuru’s emergence as Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly during that period. The minister has repeatedly stated in public forums that he “fought battles” to ensure that his “son,” Mr Nwifuru, succeeded him as governor in 2023.