A younger brother of David Umahi, Minister of Works, Austin Umahi, has declared his intention to contest the Ebonyi south senatorial district election.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 3, 2024, for the conduct of by-elections resulting from the resignation or demise of members of the national and state houses of assemblies.
The older Umahi was elected to represent the district in the upper legislative chamber in the February 2023 election.
However, he resigned from the red chamber after President Bola Tinubu appointed him into his cabinet.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has since declared his seat vacant.
Addressing a press conference in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi, on Monday, the younger Umahi said he would give constituents of Ebonyi south “good representation”.
“True democratic process is the only way to ensure the emergence of an acceptable senator for the district,” NAN quoted the politician, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as saying.
“I will give the people the best representation, having gained experiences from both the business and political sectors.
“I am a pencil in the hands of God and he is not done with me.
“We are in a democratic dispensation and I want all my supporters to pray for the success of both the primary and re-run elections.
“I am from Ohaozara Local Government Area and that is where APC Ebonyi zoning committee zoned the senatorial seat. I am not contesting for personal gains but for the people as it is the time to make a positive mark.
“I intend to change the narrative and the district should be given an opportunity to elect a representative in a transparent manner.”
He added that other aspirants should present themselves for the people to choose from.
