Umahi's brother isn't taking over Senatorial seat - APC denies rumors

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi has denied rife rumors that Austin Umahi, the brother of former Governor David Umahi has been selected to replace him in the Senate.

The Ebonyi South Senatorial District seat became vacant with the former governor's appointment as Minister of Works.

The rumors were debunked by the Chairman of the Party in the state, Stanley Okoro-Emegha in a presser in Abakaliki on Monday, Sept 3. According to him, the reports are ‘false’.

Okoro-Emegha said that Austin or any other person has not been nominated to fill the vacuum, as the party will conduct a fresh primary to elect a candidate.

“APC will field a candidate to retain the seat because it belongs to us.

“We will not allow any seat occupied by the party to go to the opposition because we are on ground in the state,” he said.

The party’s chairman said that the APC will conduct a credible primary to elect a candidate who will be acceptable to it and the people.

“The seat is an elective one, so its occupant should emerge through a transparent process and not through nomination.

“The governor, as the leader of the party, has the right to support any aspirant, but that does not mean that the ticket belongs to anybody,” he said.

He noted that the party was waiting for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seat vacant and issue guidelines on the conduct of its election.

“Individuals who also say we would lose the state’s gubernatorial seat at the tribunal are dreaming because it was achieved through an overwhelming mandate.

“The governor has, through his policies, started justifying the confidence reposed in him by the people, as they knew his capabilities before electing him,” he said.

NBA