Tinubu’s Minister’s Brother Withdraws From Race To Replace Him In Senate, Details Emerge

• Austin Umahi, the younger brother to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dropped his intention to replace his brother in the senate
• High Chief Nwaze Umahi, the eldest son of Umahi’s family announced the decision on Friday, December 29
• According to the statement, Governor Francis Nwifuru ordered the State Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to zone the position to the Onicha local government area.

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro and government policy

Ebonyi state - Austin Umahi, the younger brother to the Minister of Works, David Umahi withdrew from the Ebonyi South senatorial bye-election.

He made the decision on Friday, December 29, after Governor Francis Nwifuru ordered the State Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to zone the position to the Onicha local government area, The Nation reported.

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It was gathered that Austin was prevailed upon to withdraw from the race during an Umahi family’s meeting at Uburu, Ohaozara local government area.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by High Chief Nwaze Umahi, the eldest son of Umahi’s family.

The statement reads in part:

”The family of late Joseph Umahi Nwaze has decided to passionately appeal to Austin Umahi and his teaming loyal and dogged supporters to kindly shelve his legitimate ambition of contesting for the vacant Senatorial seat for now in order to give peace a chance and disappoint all those people who want to engender crisis and anarchy in Ebonyi South Senatorial District.

“That the family immensely appreciates Austin Umahi for accepting to drop his just ambition and thank his teaming supporters for their sustained support even after the purported Ebonyi APC SWC resolution.”

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Tinubu’s minister's younger brother seeks to replace him in senate

Legit.ng earlier reported that Austin declared his intention to run for the Ebonyi South Senatorial seat re-run election.

Austin announced his ambition at a news briefing in Abakaliki, the state capital on Monday, December 25.

The re-run election will hold in February 2024 following the resignation of Umahi as the senator to accept President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ministerial appointment.

Akpabio declares Senate seats of Tinubu’s 2 top ministers vacant

Legit.ng also reported that Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, December 20, declared vacant, the seats of Umahi and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe East Senatorial District.

Both Umahi and Geidam were inaugurated as members of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023 but they resigned in August after President Tinubu appointed them as members of his cabinet.

Source: Legit.ng