AS  Ebonyi State marks her 18th anniversary of statehood, I congratulate all “Ebonyians” on this unique occasion. I urge all to reflect on the giant strides made by our able Governor Chief Martin Elechi in his bid to transform the state; keeping alive the dream of the founding fathers, I salute his patriotic and focused leadership qualities.

Please let us as Ebonyians unite to build a more virile state in keeping to the dream of the founding fathers; a dream of freedom; a dream of abundance; a dream of democratic dividends; a dream of growth and development; a dream that puts a smile on our faces and makes us proud of our citizenship.

Dear fellow Ebonyians! In a matter of days our state will begin, once again, an important journey; a historic journey; a journey of hope; a journey of promise; a journey that will require all of us to work in a collective effort to make Ebonyi better, safer, prosperous, peaceful and more united.

The Elechi-led administration has unarguably done marvelously well. The Governor and his team have demonstrated great commitment and zeal in turning around the plight of the Ebonyi people, he has laid a solid foundation for the full actualisation of the dreams of the founding fathers of the State of which he’s one.

As a matter of fact, any person or group of persons that mean well for Ebonyi State should by now be thoughtful of who is competent to take over the mantle of leadership and also ensure the continuity in building on the foundation our beloved elderly statesman has laid. In other word we need continuity.

We need someone who will share the same vision with Elechi, so he can continue from where he would stop with the clear view of how and where the journey had gone through. Undoubtedly, the people need someone who will steer the state with combined knowledge of resource management, politics and the mindset of a sportsman predisposed to accommodating and sharing with others the pains and gains of sustainable growth.

According to the masses, Governor Elechi’s successor should be somebody who has been close to him and would continue the good works he started. And not a new administration that comes with new vision, goals and plans that will end up establishing another foundation; and before you know it, the State begins to witness the abandoned projects here and there. The State is young with great mission and, as such, needs to be stabilised and focused. While its mission is to be the guiding light that will show the way for all to follow.

As Ebonyians, we are disturbed that Elechi has not openly indicated interest in any candidate. Many are asking if he had not for the past years groomed a competent successor who shares the same vision with him. The failure to groom a competent successor may not serve the state well since the state is still young, as whoever eventually becomes Governor may not share the same vision with him.

But one thing is certain for the tempo of development and transformations to be sustained: somebody who understands the vision of the present administration has to take up the mantle of leadership.

Since the incumbent Governor  had at different occasions stressed that power would shift to the South in the spirit of fairness, justice and equity, we will soon know if the Governor is a man of his words. But the big question now is: Who does the cap fit from the South?

Going by this precedent from an opinion poll, many have tipped the current Deputy Governor Dave Nwaze Umahi as a suitable candidate to succeed Elechi, come 2015. Although Umahi is yet to declare interest to run for the governorship of the State in 2015, many groups are urging him to declare, especially now the State is in dire need of a sincere leader who would continue the good works of Chief Elechi.

Umahi was once asked by journalists when he  was the PDP Chairman, what his next move would be after leaving office? He replied he would retire from active politics to his business and face with total commitment his charity services. Further asked, why total commitment to charity service, he replied: “God specifically mandated me to take care of the poor and less privileged in the society”. That was then.

Umahi has empowered some youths both in academic and artisanship, fed the hungry, empowered the poor, taken care of the weak and disabled, provided free health services for the sick, built up people who hitherto had no hope of rising up in life, guided and inspired the youths on the part of godliness, vision, success and greatness.

From personal experience this is a man who is open and accessible by all not minding your status in the society. He pays attention to all and does what he can to put a smile in people’s faces. His personal government is so organised in a way that people around him can’t stop the poor from accessing him. A chance meeting with him would confirm this. Sadly, there are those who desperately, out of malice, envy and fear because of their ambitions, want to tarnish his image by spreading false rumours and making the people to erroneously believe lies. You can’t run down another person to sell yourself. Otherwise, you’re only laying your foundation on a whirlwind.

As a vibrant and dynamic deputy, there hasn’t been any report of insubordination or disloyalty to his boss. He has managed to avoid anything that would drag him on a collision course with his boss. He has religiously followed the track of all the State’s developmental projects of his boss at the various project sites, including the mega Ofurekpe, Ukawu Water Schemes, etc.  With the added advantage of being an engineer, he carefully monitors each project being executed by the State and sticks to total compliance of contracts agreements.

There may be some who out of malice, or envy would go to any length to ensure the right person does not emerge. I pray that God will give the Governor and the PDP stakeholders the divine wisdom to sift the wheat from the chaff and be circumspect in their choice of a candidate.

And he has save the state huge sums of money in terms of costing of projects. When as the State PDP Chairman, Umahi managed the party in a way that it was rancor- free and played by the rules. Under his watch, the party built a State Secretariat in Abakaliki, the Capital.

So impressed on the occasion of the official opening of the Secretariat that President Jonathan declared that the Ebonyi PDP’s Secretariat, built by Umahi as the State Chairman of the party is the best among the 36 state of the federation, describing it as only comparable to the national Secretariat of the party the President followed up by handing Umahi a $10,000 cash gift. This then prompt the party Chairman into beautifying the edifice. Also when he took over as the Deputy Governor, he changed the looks of the Deputy Governor’s Office and lodge into an enviable fantastic marble finishing. This is not just done only for his personal interest but also for the common good of all.

Opinion poll suggests he would perfectly fit into the shoes of Elechi, as his successor and make indelible marks that would launch the State into such developmental projects and programmes as he is known for. Although according to some political observers, deputies succeeding their bosses as Governor are rare in Nigerian politics at the same time, some noted that the best things in life are most times uncommon.

Although Like all humans, Umahi has his drawbacks but notwithstanding Umahi has, beyond doubt proven to be a good manager of men and resources. Governor Elechi had at a particular forum described Umahi as “the all conquering David Umahi”. Coming from a man not given to rhetoric’s, this testimony speaks volume about the personality of the Deputy Governor.

Governor Elechi had also on several occasions, without any iota of reservations, gladly allowed Umahi keep watch over the State on his behalf. The Governor never had cause to complain of any untoward conduct by his deputy. This is the level of confidence, cordiality and respect which has become the hall mark of Umahi’s relationship with his boss.

But unfortunately, all who are now engaging in these deadly campaigns of calumny against Umahi are doing so for one reason, to make our beloved Governor Elechi anoint their preferred candidate who already is secretly prepared to be anointed from the South.

Our only concern is the political heavy weights behind this already preferred candidate. These very class of Politicians now clogging around this “preferred candidate” will eventually end up not only forming the pillars of his government but will cage the new government just for their selfish interest. And then block the common people from having access to this new government (God forbid). We all know Power is a public trust held on behalf of the people! Our prayer which is in the interest of the common masses is that God will guide with wisdom those with the responsibility to making choices for the interest of the common good to do so with the fear of God.

The essence of Opinion Leaders is to guide the electorate right. I have taken the pains to list a few examples of which we can project Umahi’s abilities if given the opportunity. As we all know that the main aim of democracy is for a people to have the chance of electing the best persons to drive their society at a given time for the overall interest of the masses.

There may be some who out of malice, or envy would go to any length to ensure the right person does not emerge. I pray that God will give the Governor and the PDP Stakeholders the divine wisdom to sift the wheat from the chaff and be circumspect in their choice of a candidate.

Mr. Chinedu   Daniel Obasi, a clergy, wrote from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.