The Peoples Democratic Party, Ebonyi Chapter, has challenged Governor David Umahi to explain to the residents why he “waged hunger war” against them.
This was as the party observed that the alleged sharing of public funds among select residents by the governor ahead of the March 18 governorship polls, would not save his party, the All Progressives Congress, from defeat, on Saturday.
The PDP further maintained that Umahi’s APC should have taken care of retirees, civil servants, lecturers and suffering market women before now, if it were a responsive and globally smart party.
The Director of Media and Publicity, Ebonyi PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Chief Abia Onyike, said this in a statement on Monday.
The statement read,
“We seize this opportunity to advise Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State to stop promoting a culture of false generosity in the state.
“We condemn the use of public funds shared to selected individuals in the name of APC last-minute campaigns.
“If Governor Umahi were sincere to himself and the people of Ebonyi State, let him tell us why he decided to wage a vicious war of hunger against thousands of retired civil servants who had served the state meritoriously but we’re denied their gratuities since 2015 when Umahi assumed office as the Governor of the state.
“Umahi’s wicked war of attrition against the retirees and some civil servants who were denied their promotion entitlements was responsible for the increasing percentage of poverty and sudden deaths in the state.
“His attitude of running from pillar to post to share money to people under the guise of campaigning for votes is the most shameless act of false generosity.
“We equally warn Governor Umahi to stop his usual habit of self-serving declaration for national offices which later turns into an instrument for siphoning public funds into private pockets.
“Governor Umahi’s plans to clamp down on opposition figures, mainly the PDP in Ebonyi South have been uncovered. Let him try and exhaust his numerous machinations, Ebonyi people are watching and ready to vote for candidates of their choice in Saturday’s elections.”
Reacting, Umahi said accusations against him were baseless and unfounded.
His Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Chooks Okoh, said that his principal was eminently qualified to be the President of the Senate, saying he had done well for the Ebonyi people.
He said,
“Abia Onyike? Can he ever live without his fixated hatred for Umahi? Any opinion of his about Umahi will always be laced with petty jealousy, envy, wicked insinuations and devious innuendos. He is to be ignored.
“Umahi is very eminently qualified and will be Senate President. What is more, he will so creditably discharge the functions of that office that even the Abia Onyike’s will bow in admiration.”
