A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Director-General of the party’s 2023 Governorship Campaign Council in Ebonyi State, Chief Austin Umahi, has delivered a scathing assessment of the representation of Ebonyi South Senatorial District, describing it as a “colossal failure” under Senator Anthony Ani.
Umahi, who is the younger brother of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, made the remarks on Tuesday 28th April 2026, during a high-level consultative meeting convened by Governor Francis Nwifuru with APC stakeholders from the senatorial district.
The meeting, held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki, laid bare growing divisions within the ruling party in the zone, as party leaders engaged in candid deliberations on political performance, quality of representation, and the district’s future electoral outlook.
In a strongly worded intervention, Umahi decried what he described as a lack of effective legislative representation at the National Assembly, asserting that constituents in Ebonyi South have been largely underserved since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
“On the basis of objectivity and sincerity, I speak both as Director-General and as a stakeholder involved in previous zoning arrangements.
“What we are witnessing today is an aberration. It is a colossal failure in Ebonyi South, and it is unacceptable," Umahi said.
He further warned of potential political repercussions should urgent corrective measures not be taken, declaring his readiness to contest future elections, including the 2027 general elections, if the current situation persists.
“The reality is that since the senator assumed office, it is as though the district has no representation. If the necessary corrective actions are not taken, I will present myself for election at every opportunity,” he said.
The criticism followed an exchange during the meeting in which Governor Nwifuru questioned Senator Ani’s familiarity with key political stakeholders within his constituency, an issue interpreted by participants as indicative of a broader disconnect between elected officials and their grassroots base.
In response, Senator Ani acknowledged the practical constraints of maintaining personal contact across a large constituency.
“It is not feasible for one individual to know every constituent within a senatorial district,” he said, while seeking to contextualise public expectations of representation.
Governor Nwifuru, however, underscored the strategic importance of stakeholder engagement in political leadership, noting that individuals at the highest levels of governance must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of their constituencies and political networks.
“If you operate at the apex, you must understand and engage your political partners effectively,” the governor remarked, emphasising the need for inclusive and responsive leadership.
While reaffirming his loyalty to the APC and respect for its leadership, Umahi maintained that the current trajectory in Ebonyi South is unsustainable.
He urged the governor to “return to the drawing board” and initiate a political recalibration aligned with the aspirations of the district.
“We appreciate the leadership, but we must be honest with ourselves, Ebonyi South deserves better representation,” he concluded.
Umahi’s position, alongside similar concerns raised by other stakeholders, ultimately contributed to a consensus decision at the meeting to defer discussions on the allocation of the APC’s 2027 senatorial ticket for Ebonyi South pending further consultations by the governor.
