By Joy Onu
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stepped in to calm rising political tension among stakeholders in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District following a disagreement that recently surfaced between key figures in the state’s political landscape.
The dispute, which went viral on April 24, 2026, involved the senator representing Ebonyi Central, Ken Eze, and National Assembly aspirant Christian Asaga Nwali during a burial ceremony in Ikwo Local Government Area, sparking debate over succession ahead of the next election cycle.
Concerned about the growing tension, Umahi convened a reconciliation meeting on April 26, urging both leaders and their supporters to exercise restraint and maintain unity within the political structure.
Describing both politicians as his protégés, the former governor of Ebonyi State said disagreements among supporters should not be allowed to escalate into leadership crises that could destabilize the political environment.
Umahi acknowledged that past political discussions had included zoning arrangements within the district but stressed that such matters must be handled within the framework of current political leadership and prevailing realities.
He advised stakeholders from Ezza and Ikwo to channel their concerns through structured consultations with the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, whom he described as the central authority in managing political harmony in the state.
According to the minister, engaging the governor alongside selected community leaders from both sides would provide a fair platform for resolving the dispute and ensuring lasting peace.
Beyond the local disagreement, Umahi used the meeting to reinforce political unity in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that stakeholders in the state must remain aligned behind the President’s re-election bid.
Both Eze and Nwali pledged commitment to peace during the meeting, urging their supporters to avoid inflammatory remarks, particularly on social media, and to maintain stability within the political family.
