Ogbonnaya Onu pays surprise visit to Umahi

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday paid a surprise visit to Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, at his country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Council of the state.

Onu, an Ebonyi indigene and first governor of the old Abia State, part of which is now in Ebonyi, paid the visit amid insinuations that Umahi, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had plans to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Minister, until his appointment in September, was one of the national leaders of the APC, and had played key role in the party’s victory at the polls.

Governor Umahi had debunked the insinuation saying that he was still a bona fide member of the PDP and had no intention of leaving the opposition party, which had ruled the country for 16 years before losing to the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, in the March 2015 elections.

Neither Onu nor Umahi spoke to the press after the visit, supported by large gathering at the Umahi compound. Both politicians are indigenes of Uburu, who were seen as arch rivals.
Describing the visit as a sign of peace and unity in Uburu community, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government council, Mr. Justice Ogbonna, said, the parley notwithstanding, the governor still belonged to the PDP while Onu remained a member of the APC.
“The visit has put to rest the insinuation that Dr. Onu and our governor are not enjoying good relationship, notwithstanding that both of them come from the same community,” he said.

He described governor Umahi as a special gift to the people of Ebonyi State who has within a short time recorded many achievements.
Others who paid Christmas visit to the governor were the state Commissioner of Police, Peace Abdallah, a delegation from the Ezza South LGA, Association of Persons with Disabilities, Abakaliki Main Market Traders Association and Governor Umahi’s 1976 classmates in Uburu.

Addressing the people of Ezza South, Umahi described the Ezza nation as a major force behind his success at the April governorship election.
He saluted the courage, which they displayed during the electioneering period even in the face of intimidation.

Explaining that the appointment of many Ezza people as his cabinet members was a reward for their strong support and commitment, he promised to energise Onueke in the first quarter of next year in the ongoing rural electrification projects.
The member representing Ikwo/ Ezza Federal Constituency, Chief Lazarus Ogbee, assured Umahi of the continued support of the Ezza people.
He said that the National Assembly would remain focused in 2016 to make good laws that would improve the life of every Nigerian.