‘I have excess grace’– Umahi brags on enthroning successor

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has bragged that he had an abundance of God’s grace, which allowed him to win a Senate seat and install a successor as governor.

In a thank-you ceremony he organized for Chief Francis Nwifuru, the APC candidate who won the March 18 governorship election, Umahi made the statement on Monday night.

The governor claimed that no plot could succeed against him since individuals were working against his election as a senator and the enthronement of his replacement out of jealously.

“You know how governors are currently struggling to be re-elected, enthrone successors and to be elected Senators.

“We are three governors in the southeast for instance who sought to enthrone successors but only one (me) succeeded.

“Only two governors were elected into the senate and despite all apprehensions, the APC performed marvellously in the southeast zone,” he said.

He said that he would not mount pressure on Nwifuru or try influencing his government.

“At this time on May 29, I will bow to him and say: ‘my boss I salute you’.

“He is my son and if he finds anything difficult, he will consult me and I will be there for him.

“When Nwifuru was nominated, I prayed to God that I don’t want my enemy to succeed me but him (Nwifuru),” he said.

He thanked Ebonyi people for supporting Nwifuru and other APC candidates as they would deliver on the mandates given to them.

“I urge the governor-elect to enshrine a reward system to appreciate all those who worked assiduously to ensure his success,” he said.

The governor-elect Nwifuru who was the Speaker of the state House if Assembly before the polls, dedicated the victory to God and Ebonyi people who found him worthy to serve.

“I especially thank our father and leader of the party, Gov. Umahi, and assure him that I will be a worthy successor.

“I promise to fulfil my campaign promises and urge my fellow contestants to join me in making Ebonyi, the envy of other states of the federation,” he said.

Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the state APC chairman, thanked the party faithful for working tenaciously towards the victories recorded during the elections.