On Chief Dave Umahi And Hon. Ogbe’s Victories At The Tribunal

On Friday the 16^th day Of October 2015, the people of Ebonyi State were in a joyous mood as news filtered in that  Governor Dave Umahi has defeated his opponent in the last governorship elections in the state. This news which many expected will be the outcome of the Tribunal judgment was followed by the news of the victory of Hon. Lazarus Ogbe also of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP at the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly Tribunal. Just like the news of the victory of Chief Dave Umahi, the victory of Representative Lazarus Ogbe did not take the people by surprise because even before the petitioner Tobias Okwuru took the case to the tribunal, he had been warned of the futility of his actions by major stakeholders in the constituency.

He forgot while taking the case to the tribunal that Lazarus Ogbe is a strong grassroots politician whose stay in politics has benefitted a lot of people in his constituency and has also grown very strong followership base in the constituency. As local government Chairman of Ezza South Local government, Hon. Lazarus Ogbe brought in sagacity in governance which rubbed off on the welfare of the people. The celebration of the expected victory will not be complete if we fail to highlight the fact that there was virtually nothing the opposition Labour party could do to make the people of Ebonyi state nay the south east vote any other party other than the Peoples Democratic Party PDP which they know serves the interest of the people. To stay in one’s comfort and expect that the elections will favour you just because of some flimsy factors of incumbency is very uncharitable. Those petitioning the tribunal when they know they lost glaringly should learn not to abuse the elections petition process. The people of Ebonyi and Ezza South/ Ikwo federal constituency voted their choice and this incontrovertible.

My advice for the likes of Chief Tobias Okwuru and the governorship candidate of his party Chief Edward Nkwegu is that they stop further abuse of the judicial process by shunning any advice to go ahead with the cases. It will do them no good other than distracting the hardworking and peoples oriented governor and the honourable member representing Ezza South/Ikwo federal constituency from speedily fulfilling the promises they made to the people during the electioneering process. I say this as a responsible citizen of the state and the federal constituency in question and this view must be well respected and action taken on it.

During the past over a hundred days the governor assumed office as the third civilian governor of Ebonyi state, the people have witnessed a better approach to governance when compared with the immediate past. This development is a testimony that our democracy is working. It is my strong conviction that at the end of the first tenure of this administration, more and better dividends of democracy will be seen by the people of the state.

Since the emergence of the present democracy, Ebonyi has never had it so good not with the quality of representation at the National Assembly. From the Senate led by Sen. Sam Egwu to the House of Representatives where the likes of Hon. Lazarus Ogbe and co hold fort, the people will be witnessing a better round of representation at the National Assembly hinged on proactive legislation and commitment to the people.

My humble advice to our bonafide representatives whose elections have been cleared by the tribunal judgments is that they continue to do the good work they are doing and forgive the distracting elements that have been making attempts to scheme them out using the judiciary. There is greater work to do to develop the state through infrastructural development and strong investments in our agricultural economy among others. Being focused to achieve this is important. There is no time to waste through frivolities or allowing themselves to be distracted. No court of law will uphold their request to nullify or do a rerun of the elections because even the grasses in the land will attest to the clear victory of the PDP in the elections.

I salute the courage of our judges to deliver people oriented judgments as epitomized in the judgments of Chief Dave Umahi and Hon. Lazarus Ogbe. These judgments are welcomed and completely reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people of Ebonyi state and Ezza South / Ikwo federal constituency.