A Report on Tuesday implies that the outgoing Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, is hell-bent on ensuring his political dynasty in Ebonyi state.
Following his latest wile of intimidating the female Deputy Governorship Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State, Patricia Obila, to step down for his blood-brother, Austin Umahi, to take over.
Patricia was the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the APC for the March 18 poll, until she reportedly abruptly stepped down citing Medical reasons, claiming that it was a voluntary resignation, for Austin to take over.
According to reports Governor Umahi forced Mrs Patricia Obila who’s the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC in Ebonyi State. To sign a resignation letter under camera.
The purpose is that midway into office should APC win, the woman will be impeached with reference to her resignation letter and then Gov. Umahi’s younger brother, Chief Austin Umahi will take over.
While Patricia claimed that she was stepping down suddenly for Medical reasons which could not be verified in any quarters, many indigenes of the State believe that she was allegedly intimidated or paid off by Governor Umahi for his brother to take over, so that he can continue to run the State like his personal property, even after leaving Office on May 29, 2023, when his second term comes to an end.
the stepping down by Patricia, who would have been the first female Deputy Governor of the State, should the APC have won the poll, has been widely criticised by different political and non-political bodies in the State, especially groups fighting for the inclusion of more women in politics.
Her resignation from office as Deputy Governor even as the election is yet to take place is suspicious.
There are also reports, that another Gov Umahi’s brother, Hon. Maxwell Umahi who’s the APC House of Assembly candidate for the Abakaliki North (urban) constituency will emerge as Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The groups are further calling on the people of the State not to vote for the APC ticket that carries Governor Umahi’s brother as the running mate, come March 18, should Patricia Obila not be restored or replaced with another credible female Candidate.
