Former governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi, has advised the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to tread carefully in the midst of the growing wave of praises being bestowed abundantly on him by political supporters and admirers.
During a civic reception held on Saturday in honour of the minister at Okposi Okwu in Ohaozara Local Government Area, Elechi, who handed over to Umahi in 2015, warned that many of the accolades may be laced with deceptive intentions.
He stated: “You deserve the praises being showered on you, but many are traps. They are either trying to gain favours from you or attempting to mislead you.”
Looking back on their political history, Elechi recalled Umahi’s rise within the ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that his impressive performance as state party chairman influenced his selection as deputy governor in 2011.
He said: “The way he managed party affairs reminded me of my time as NPN secretary in the Second Republic. I asked him to prepare to run with me in the 2011 elections, and Ebonyi people overwhelmingly supported us.
“I remain the only Nigerian truly qualified to call him my son.”
The former governor encouraged Umahi to remain focused and avoid distractions that could derail his current responsibilities as minister.
“From party chairman to minister, everything he has done makes us proud. I am proud because he is my political product, and I pray for God’s guidance over his life,” he said.