Dave Umahi Vs IPOB: One Thing Is To Make A Mistake, Another Is To Be Arrogant About It.

By Ikemba Neni

Gov of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, is the most unpropitious leader to happen to Igboland. You know, when you give a man with a lower complex leadership position, he will most likely feel that reversal of a wrong decision is a weakness.

First, he proscribed IPOB, a group no nation found to be dangerous. If IPOB activities caused discomfort, UK, US and other countries IPOB protest would have banned them.


Then, when the heat of their ill-judgment became too much, he issued a more ridiculous letter talking of how he intends to rehabilitate IPOB members, an indication that indeed, they were brainwashed by Nnamdi Kanu.

If being blunt is permitted, can I conclude that Gov Umahi is extremely dull when it comes to leadership? He may be a fine Engineer, but he lacks in every sphere leadership skill to lead Ndi Igbo. Most crucially, he does not help himself as he continues unabated in exposing his leadership deficit. More like those with mouth odor love talking to one at a close range.

If Dave's argument is that he wants to rehabilitate and empower some unemployed IPOB members, I would understand and ask him to first and foremost ensure that the people of Ebonyi state are all employed. But, talking about rehabilitating IPOB members, a group, that some of its members are by far richer than Dave Umahi if we subtract his real worth from the money they "illicitly" acquire from holding public office. How then do you want to rehabilitate and empower people that are richer and educationally more sound than you?  


Of course, my views on the Governor is open to several interpretations. However, I drew my conclusion from some of his utterances. Recall, when states were thinking of how to move to a post-oil economy, Engr Dave Umahi argued that Ebonyi State is not ready to stop Abuja feeding bottle developement (choice of words mine). In a different occasion, he maintained that Ebonyi would not be part of Biafra because an Anambra man would not allow an Abakaliki man to become their leader. Today, in total contrast to Dave Umahi's prayer, he is not only the leader of SE governors forum, which includes Anambra State, he was the chairman PDP primary election selection committee that brought out Obaze.

Those close to Gov Dave Umahi should encourage him to stop speaking on Igbo related issues. Let Ohaneze manage the current leadership crisis and vacuum in Igboland. For Umahi and the governors, they failed because of 2019 Vice President slot. We will keep saying this until they apologize for their blunder and reverse the proscription.