Okposi, Nigeria – Former Ebonyi Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, has warned Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, to be careful with those who sing his praises in the state and country.
Elechi gave the advice on Saturday at Okposi Okwu community of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi state during a grand civic reception by the community for the minister.
Elechi, Umahi”s predecessor as governor in 2015, said that most of such praises might not be well-intended.
“You deserve the praises being heaped on you currently but most of them come as traps.
“They are either to get something from you or misdirect you.”
The former governor said that Umahi’s sterling performances as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi during his governorship, made him choose the minister as his deputy.
“The way he handled the party’s affairs made me remember my days as the secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the second republic.
“I told him to get ready to run with me in the 2011 general elections where Ebonyi people massively voted for us.
“I then remain the only Nigerian who is qualified to call him my son.”
He then urged Umahi to remain focussed in discharging his duties without distractions.
“Everything he has done from party chairman, deputy governor, governor, senator and presently minister make us share in his glory.
“I am happy because he is my product and pray God to always guide him through the right path,”
It will be recalled that the duo had a strained relationship in the build up to the 2015 general elections when Umahi sought to replace Elechi as governor.
Elechi declined to support his deputy to replace him as the ensuing impasse generated heated political tension in the state.
Umahi eventually secured the PDP gubernatorial ticket and became the governor, a situation which forced Elechi to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Umahi fought hard to reconcile with his “acclaimed” father and the reconciliation was further cemented when he joined Elechi in the APC.
