From Fred Itua, Abuja and Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and Senator representing Ebonyi Central, Obinna Ogba, yesterday, traded tackles over recent allegations against some politicians in the State.
Ogba, while addressing newsmen, claimed the governor recently threatened to deal with him and demolish his hotel in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital. He urged Nigerians to hold the governor responsible should anything happen to him.
The senator representing Ebonyi Central also alleged that the Kingdom Model Secondary School, Ikwuato Idembia, in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which was shut down on Tuesday by the state government was done solely to witch-hunt him.
He revealed that the owner of the school, Mr. Friday Agbom, immediate past Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state, is one of his legislative aides.
Umahi had, at press briefing after security council meeting in Abakaliki, recently, accused Chief Ogba; former Senate president, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; the first civilian governor of the state, Dr. Sam Egwu, and the Acting National Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) South East Zone, Chief Ali Odefa, of jointly plotting to sponsor the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to cause crises in the State.
But Chief Ogba, in his reaction titled “Unfortunate And Delusional Accusations By Governor Dave Umahi: My Response”opined that the Governor’s accusations were reckless, unfounded and baseless.
He said: “Ordinarily, I could have treated that media briefing as mere gibberish, but coming from the mouth of a sitting governor, it becomes very necessary to give it the needed attention, in order to invite full scrutiny of the dangerous recklessness inherent in the utterances of a Chief Security Officer of a State.
“Speaking for myself and by way of rebuttal, I wish to state categorically that I have never harboured, recruited, induced or engaged cultists for any purpose whether political or otherwise, in all my personal and public life”
“The office of governor has always appeared too large for Umahi. He has always appeared too egocentric, ill-prepared, under confident, timid and yet boastful for that office. As he is lashing out at those far superior to his disgruntled self, we must urge the security agencies to keep a watchful eye on him. He portends clear and present danger to Ebonyi State and the political class.
“Governor Umahi should note that nobody is interested in truncating his inordinate ambition to aspire to the exalted position of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He should ease the plight of the good people of Ebonyi State, who he impoverished for some years now due to his maladministration. He should not forget that by this time, come 2023, he will cease to be a governor.”
Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Uchenna Orji, said claims by Ogba was a political trick from a rejected representative who is crying foul over non-existent and imaginative allegation.
“We, as government, are not interested in responding to his allegation which I take as very unwarranted, scandalous and irresponsible.
“The governor of Ebonyi State, David Nweze Umahi, has moved forward in his quest to allow peace reign, no matter the level of distraction and provocation by detractors. The governor has publicly directed all government officials not to abuse anybody or take any unjustifiable actions against anybody.
“I advise Senator Ogba to respect the opinion of the people that elected him and play his politics in line with conventions. Our government is not distracted at all. When politics comes, we shall play it very well. We wish him well.”