APC Knocks Dave Umahi’s Brother Out Of Vacant Ebonyi South Senatorial Race 

AUSTIN, brother of the serving Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi is not eligible to contest the vacant Ebonyi South Senatorial District seat, at least under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Although the erstwhile Director-General of the APC’s campaign committee in the last general elections has indicated interest in succeeding his brother in the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly, the APC is however not looking in his direction as it has zoned the ticket to Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

Announcing the decision via a statement on Tuesday signed by Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, Ebonyi APC Chairman and other State Working Committee (SWC) members, the party said the ticket for the scheduled 3rd February 2024 election has been zoned to Onicha Local Government Area. The statement indicated that the decision enjoys the support of the state governor, Francis Nwifuru. 

The party noted that Ohaozara Local Government Area where the Umahi brothers hail from already has a ministerial seat, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and a Senior Special Assistant to the President in its kitty and as such it is threading the path of equity and justice with the zoning of the senatorial district ticket to Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

“The APC Leader in Ebonyi, Gov. Francis Nwifuru, has exemplified leadership embodied in equity and justice and such was worthy of emulation,” the statement said.

It will be recalled that the Ebonyi South Senatorial District seat became vacant following the resignation of David Umahi, who took up the seat following his election as a senator in the 10th National Assembly. He later took up a ministerial appointment in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.

The seat was recently declared vacant by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio following which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that it would conduct bye-elections into the seat and others on 3 February 2023.

Eighteen-Eleven Media