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Gov Umahi, Sen Ogba trade words over threat to life
Chairman, Senate Committee on Sport and Youth Development, Senator Obinna Ogba (PDP Ebonyi Central) alleged in Abuja that the state governor, Engr. David Umahi was after his life going by series of threats received from him recently and vindictive actions being taken against him and his political associates
But the governor in a swift reaction through the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Orji Uchenna Orji, dismissed the allegation as unfounded.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, Senator Ogba alleged that since Governor Umahi defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC without vibrant politicians in the state following him, he has resulted into vindictiveness against them.
The lawmaker, who read a prepared speech, titled: “Unfortunate and Delusional Accusations by Governor Dave Umahi”, said the governor recently ordered for closure of a private school in Abakaliki owned by his legislative aide on trumped up allegation of cultists running it.
He also alleged that the governor is making moves to demolish his hotel in Abakaliki, the state capital for no justifiable reason.
“Specifically, when Umahi accused me and three others of engaging cultists and, according to him, some IPOB members to start kilings and instigating crises in Ebonyi State, he thus brings the matter into the central realm of criminal law.
“Whether he is ignorant of the crime of joint enterprise to commit an unlawful or harmful act or not, Umahi must put forward the compelling evidence at his disposal that led him to lay such grievous allegations against innocent citizens who were his conveyor belts to his present status as a 2nd term Executive Governor of Ebonyi State,” he stressed.
The lawmaker said he had “never harboured, recruited, induced or engaged cultists for any purpose whether political or otherwise, in all my personal and public life.”
Senator Ogba recalled that “the governor and his brother, Austin Umahi sent me threat messages on the 14th of January and 16th of August respectively, warning me to watch my back.”
“Later the governor called me the he would demolish my hotel at Dr. Offia Nwali Street, Abakaliki. Therefore, when a man with such a history, combined with his insatiable greed to cling unto power makes these sorts of dangerous and thoughtless utterances, then he must be taken seriously,” he said.
Senator Ogba therefore warned that should anything happen to me or any member of my family, governor Umahi should be held responsible.
But Governor Umahi in his reaction to his allegations, through a statenent signed by Orji, said the senator was crying foul over non- existent and imaginative allegations.
The statement reads in part: “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 His Excellency Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi, FNSE FNATE, 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 will 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”.
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