Nkechinyere Ewa
The political landscape of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State took a decisive turn as Osborne Umahi, son of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the forthcoming local government chairmanship election.
Umahi clinched the party’s ticket after securing all 55 votes cast at the APC chairmanship primary election held at Obiozara Primary School, Uburu, underscoring his overwhelming acceptance among party delegates across the local government.
The primary election, which was widely described as peaceful and transparent, was conducted by a 10-man electoral committee led by the APC South-East Zonal Secretary, Innocent Itapa Azuobu. Delegates from the 11 wards of Ohaozara were duly accredited and participated in the exercise.
Announcing the result, the Deputy State Chairman of the APC, Alphonsus Nwali, who chaired the electoral committee, declared Osborne Umahi the winner and commended the people of Ohaozara for their unwavering support for the APC in previous national and state elections.
Nwali assured party faithful that the APC would continue to strengthen internal democracy, emphasizing that transparency and credibility remain central to the party’s processes. “The APC is committed to producing leaders who can deliver tangible development at the grassroots,” he said.
Roads, Youths, Agriculture Top Agenda
In his acceptance speech, Osborne Umahi outlined an ambitious development blueprint anchored on road infrastructure, agriculture, youth empowerment and security.
He pledged to embark on massive rural road construction, particularly roads linking communities to farmlands and markets, to boost agricultural productivity and ease the evacuation of farm produce. “We have big plans for Ohaozara. Roads leading to markets and farmlands will be prioritized, alongside the development of cottage agricultural centres and mechanised farming,” Umahi stated.
He also promised to introduce policies targeted at youth empowerment and employment, stressing that young people would play a central role in his administration if elected.
Stakeholders Applaud Peaceful Process
Several stakeholders present at the primary election expressed satisfaction with the outcome and the conduct of the exercise.
Engineer Francis Ori, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, described the large turnout as a clear reflection of the candidate’s acceptability. “The crowd you see here speaks volumes. Politics is not a one-man affair. We are ready to support and guide him. He is young, vibrant and capable,” Ori said.
Similarly, Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Amnesty and Guarantee, praised the peaceful nature of the primary. “The election was free and fair. There was no violence, no insecurity and no lives were lost. Every interested party had a fair hearing,” she noted.
David Umahi, Others Drum Support
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as Minister and expressed gratitude to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for supporting his son’s aspiration.
He assured the people of Ohaozara that Osborne would remain committed to his campaign promises, including opening up rural roads, establishing agricultural clusters and empowering youths.
Umahi further urged the South-East to continue supporting President Tinubu, saying the administration had begun addressing long-standing issues of marginalisation in the region.
In a vote of confidence, Osborne Umahi described Governor Nwifuru as a dependable leader and pledged not to disappoint the party, the state government and the people of Ohaozara. “We will work with security agencies to ensure Ohaozara becomes one of the safest local governments in the state,” he said.
Other supporters of the party said with APC primary concluded peacefully and decisively, attention now shifts to the forthcoming local government election, as supporters express optimism that Osborne Umahi’s emergence signals a new phase of grassroots-driven development in Ohaozara.