Profile
David Nweze Umahi is a Nigerian politician who is serving as the current Governor Of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Personal Life
David Umahi is happily married to Chief Mrs. Racheal Umahi with four children.
Education
S/N | Name of School | Degree | Year |
1 | Government Secondary School, Afikpo | Secondary Education | |
2 | Ishiagu High School | Secondary Education | |
3. | Enugu State University of Science & Technology | B. Eng Civil Engineering | 1982 – 1987 |
Work History
S/N | Name of Company | Position | Year |
1 | Norman Engineering and Construction Nig. Limited | Co-founder/General Manager | 1990 |
2 | Brass Engineering & Construction Nig. Ltd. Focus Investment Nig. Ltd | Chairman/CEO | 2011 |
3 | Osborn La Palm Royal Resort Ltd. | Chairman |
Political History
Umahi entered public service in 2007 as the acting chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party. From 2009 to 2011, he served as the state chairman of the party. During that term, he served a year on the governing board of the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba as its chairman.
In 2011, Umahi became deputy governor of Ebonyi State on a ticket with Martin Elechi. In 2014, Governor Elechi supported Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, as his successor, which Umahi stated violated the previous understanding that he would take up that role. Umahi defeated Chukwu in the primaries. The remainder of Elechi’s term was chaotic, with arson hitting the House of Assembly in February 2015 and motions taken to impeach him later that month over alleged unconstitutional gross misconduct, misappropriation of funds and anti-party activities. Umahi was elected to the role of Governor on 12 April 2015 in an election that has been challenged by the Labour Party, All Progressives Congress and All Progressives Grand Alliance on the basis of “widespread irregularities, killings, and wanton destruction of property”. In October 2015, the legitimacy of the election was upheld by the Governorship Election.
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
Project
- Reconstruction of major federal roads in the state especially the Afikpo-Abakaliki road, the Amasiri/Okposi federal road and the Nkalagu/Nigercem road
Criticism/Controversy
- The governor has roundly been criticised for his decision to introduce a new tax regime in the state which ultimately seems to tax everything and everyone in the state in addition to increasing the tax paid under previous administrations.
- The governor also recently came under serious criticism following his decision to revert to the old salary structure for workers from the new structure approved by his predecessor before he left office.
- The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor was unceremoniously removed from office and replaced with Comrade Leo Nka following his criticism of the new pension law the governor introduced.