Analysts observe that Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi is the first deputy governor in the state who has won a governorship election to take over the state governance from the immediate-past Gov. Martin Elechi.
They, nonetheless, argue that any of the two previous deputy governors, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu or the late Dr Emmanuel Isu, could have achieved such feat if Dr Sam Egwu, who governed the state from 1999 to 2007, had endorsed either of the two.
They also note that although Elechi did not endorse Umahi, the latter secured the governorship candidate ticket on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was elected as the governor of the state.
Critics then opine that Elechi’s support for the former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu during electioneering could have skewed political interests of party members to the disadvantage of development if he (Elechi) had not reconciled the members shortly after the election.
The reconciliation came barely 24 hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Umahi as the winner of the April 11 governorship election.
Sen. Dr Sam Egwu led Umahi to the Government House, Abakaliki, during the reconciliation meeting.
Stating that the residents of Ebonyi expected much from the government, Elechi urged Umahi not to allow external forces to destroy the existing peace in the state.
“I invited you to be my deputy in 2011, promising you that if things worked well, I will support you to succeed me,’’ he admitted
He, however, said his action changed before the elections because of serious challenges in the party involving choices of some party members which later resulted in the breaking away of some members.
Elechi, nonetheless, promised to support Umahi to do better, concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy and live up to the expectations of the people of the state.
In his response, Umahi said he would evolve an all-inclusive administration and consult stakeholders in the state for advice to consolidate on the gains of the past administrations.
Describing the reconciliation as a good development, the Ebonyi indigenes in the United Kingdom on the platform of Ebonyi Patriots, called on Umahi to address the development challenges facing the state.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr Otu Enwo, the association advised the governor to maintain equity and fairness in his administration.
“Ebonyi has suffered a lot of setbacks due to the failure of public officials to utilise the abundant human and mineral resources to develop the people and the state.
“We are of the opinion that your government should look at many directions and bring together the best personnel that will develop the state.
“Ebonyi is blessed with mineral resources, therefore, the governor should explore where those resources are locked and harness them for the good of all.
“We believe that in spite of the scanty monthly allocation that the state receives from the Federal Government, the state could use it judiciously to diversify its economy,’’ they said.
In the same vein, Mr Leonard Nkah, the President of Ebonyi chapter of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), said there was need for the new government to improve on workers’ welfare.
According to him, the government should immediately consider prompt payment of minimum wage to workers as at when due.
“We expect that the new government would look into the alleged gross misappropriation of local government funds’’, he said.
He also called for enhancement of the health and agricultural sectors of the local government economy for the development of the state.
The union expressed determination to partner the new government to ensure rapid development of the state.
Sharing similar sentiments, Prof. Eugene Nweke, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, said the new government should make the residents of the state feel happy by introducing masses-oriented development programmes.
“What we need at this period of our development, especially in view of the present economic down turn, are good leaders.
“We need leaders that will organise and utilise the lean resources of the state to create jobs, build infrastructure and provide security for lives and property.
“I expect the new government to look beyond political scheming and harness the resources of the state to achieve great development,’’ Nweke said.
In her view, Mrs Rosemary Nwonuma, a school teacher in the state, advised the new government to cut down cost of governance.
According to her, so much of state fund is wasted on maintaining the political offices, resulting in poor implementation of good programmes.
In his opinion, Mr Martin Eze, a businessman at the Abakaliki Main Market, urged the new government to introduce laws and policies that would boost commerce, trade and investments in the state.
“I expect the new government to come up with policies, laws and strategies that will lead to opening up of new areas of trade, commerce and investments,’’ he said.
Irrespective of level of expectations from the new government in Ebonyi, most residents of the state insist that government needs discipline and patriotic citizens to deliver the expected developments.