As a corollary, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has also endorsed the candidacy of Ani.
But the younger Umahi had days ago allegedly announced his withdrawal from the race, in deference to the position of some elders of the party in the state.
Minister Umahi made the endorsement of Ani in a public speech delivered personally, where he also warned that Ebonyi State is fully APC.
Umahi, by his declaration, has chosen not to support his younger brother, Austin Umahi, who had earlier declared his intention to contest for the Ebonyi South senatorial district seat.
Austin’s declaration comes days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed February 2024 for the conduct of the re-run in some federal and state constituencies to fill the vacant seats.
The seat for Ebonyi South Senatorial district became vacant following the appointment of David Umahi as the minister of works by President Bola Tinubu.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, had also declared the seats of David Umahi and Ibrahim Geidam in the upper legislative chamber vacant.
The Senate President decided on their appointments as ministers of works and police affairs, respectively.
Meanwhile, reports days ago had indicated that Austin Umahi, had on Friday withdrawn from the senatorial bye-election race, citing the zoning of the position to Onicha local government area by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressive Congress (APC), at the behest of Governor Nwifuru.
READ ALSO:Shameful, Broderick died neglected, abandoned by Nigeria- Izilein
His withdrawal reportedly came after a meeting held by the Umahi family of Uburu, Ohaozara LGA, where they persuaded him to step down from the race.
The senatorial seat became vacant following the resignation of Senator Umahi upon his appointment as the minister of works.
In a statement released by the eldest son of the Umahi family, High Chief Nwaze Umahi, they noted Austin’s contributions to building the APC in Ebonyi State, acknowledging that Austin would have been a strong contender if he pursued his ambition.
However, they stressed the importance of peace, stating that no position is worth causing strife or harming anyone. They urged sincere individuals seeking to serve the people not to resort to conflict.
In another development, a group, the Ebonyi South Stakeholders’ Forum, has endorsed a former member of the House of Representatives and Labour Party (LP) aspirant, Linus Abaa-Okorie, for the Ebonyi South senatorial re-run.
In a communique issued after their meeting by the leader of the forum, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, said their decision was born out of their conviction that the LP aspirant was competent to offer quality representation in the zone.
He recalled that Abaa-Okorie, as a two-term member of the House of Representatives, changed the narrative and brought hope and succour to his constituency.
Onu said: “We have reviewed the political developments in the state and Ebonyi South in particular, and we have decided to add our strong voices to it. Our decisions are far-reaching as stakeholders and leaders of the Ebonyi South zone.
“We have noted the calibre and competence of aspirants of all the political parties interested in the forth-coming rerun in Ebonyi South and collectively endorsed the Labour Party aspirant, Hon. Linus Abaa-Okorie for the position.
“We make this decision passionately without fear of contradiction. Ebonyi South needs a popular choice, who has been known in the National Assembly to represent us at this time. Hon. Linus Abaa-Okorie has shown competence and capacity to offer quality services to the zone.”
They added, “We make bold to say that in the last general election, Linus Abaa-Okorie was a popular candidate of the Labour Party, who was loved by all, but unfortunately, his victory was marred by irregularities.
“In this endorsement, we’ve distanced ourselves from any other adoptions and urge all the people of Ebonyi South zone to support the ambition of the Labour Party aspirant, Linus Abaa-Okorie.
“We have also noted with dismay the underground plot of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who endorsed Prof Anthony Okorie Ani as a consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress. The endorsement was to pave the way for him in 2027 when he would like to recontest, on the calculation that he will emerge as the Senate President.
“Though we are not against him becoming anything or Senate President in 2027, his bogus political ambitions had always displaced the political fortune of others, and we can’t support anyone who will be tipped for such a shoddy political calculation.
“Ebonyi South can’t afford to have a ‘Place Holder’ as a senator at this critical time of Nigeria’s existence that demands someone who has the force of opinion on any given issue and not someone who will always seek his godfather’s approval before tackling any matter.”
The group further called on the people of Ebonyi South zone to support the ambition of the Abaa-okorie’s LP in the bye-election.
