Umahi: 2025 will Mark Turning Point in South-east Security Situation

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has promised the people of the South-east geopolitical zone that 2025 will mark a turning point in the efforts of the federal government to combat security challenges confronting the region.
Umahi gave this assurance when the Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum visited him at his country home at Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State at the weekend as part of activities marking the yuletide season.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Orji Uchenna Orji, the minister recounted what he described as the unprecedented democracy dividends harvested by the South-east under the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He called for more support and solidarity from the people of the South-east for the Tinubu-led administration.
“We must always be grateful to God, and we must be grateful to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I believe strongly that the Igbo people and the South-east people are now on the right track. We have learnt to talk less. We have learnt to know that the centre belongs to all of us. We have learnt to support the government at the centre.”

Umahi also hailed the leadership of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru in Ebonyi State, stating that he had deepened the cause of peace and tranquility across the state.
While commending the sense of generosity and gratitude of the youths of Izzi Nnodo, the minister urged all the youths of Ebonyi State to continue to champion the cause of peace and fairness, equity and good conscience.

He described the reelection of the incumbent governor in Ebonyi State as sacrosanct, declaring that no agent of disunity can thwart it.

He said: “Even if God forbid and your brothers or Izzi people stand against me tomorrow, the covenant I had with Governor Nwifuru and God is complete and uninterrupted eight years and nothing would stop it.

“I fought principalities and powers alone and won; and you think I can’t do it now that I have someone by my side. Governor Nwifuru would serve Ebonyi people for the second term in office like other former Governors of the state.

“I have been saying it and will keep saying it, I have not seen any better option in Izzi till now. Sorry to say this. Governor Nwifuru is humble and till the end of eight years I am not leaving him. Not now!,” Umahi said.

“I will continue to preach equity, fairness, and justice in Ebonyi State. We will continue to encourage our dear Governor to be fair and equitable. God will continue to be with him.”

Earlier in his speech, the President-General of Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum, Dr Andrew Chibueze Elom, said the visit was for the youths of the three local government areas making the forum where Governor Nwifuru hails from to share the joy of the season with the minister.

According to Elom, the visit was also to commend him for being a divine instrument used to make an Izzi son the governor of the state.