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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The National Coordinator of the Association of Former All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairmen (AFSC-APC), Basil Ejidike, has condemned the growing tantrums, public insults and derogatory remarks that celebrity socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has hurled at the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
Miffed by the verbal attacks directed at senior government officials and leaders of the ruling party, Ejidike described the remarks as unfortunate and completely misplaced, insisting that it was time for decorum to be restored.
The former Anambra State APC chairman, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, warned that greenhorns should refrain from dragging respectable national figures into needless public spats.
While expressing deep frustration over the incident, Ejidike lamented that public discourse had degenerated to a point where basic respect for elders and constituted authority was routinely discarded.
“These days, people appear to have thrown every decorum to the ‘dogs’. People no longer have respect for their elders and constituted authority. Where is the ‘line’ or comparison between Dist. Sen Dave Umahi and Cubana Chief Priest?” Ejidike queried.
He described the socialite’s critique as lacking substance, adding: “Cubana Chief Priest is virtually a non-starter and should first learn the ‘ropes’.”
Ejidike argued that anyone attempting to question Senator Umahi’s decades of contributions to nation-building and his administrative milestones was either profoundly ignorant or acting in bad faith.
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He threw his weight behind the Minister of Works and challenged critics to match Umahi’s infrastructural footprint as a public servant.
Comparing Umahi’s executive tenure with those of others across the country, Ejidike offered high praise for the former Ebonyi State governor.
“Apart from Gov. Wike of Rivers State, I stand to be corrected if any past governor of any state had equalled the achievements of Sen. Umahi as governor of Ebonyi State in terms of provision of infrastructure,” Ejidike asserted. “Even as Minister of the Federal Republic, he’s still eloquently and creditably discharging himself.”
He maintained that Senator Umahi was presently rated among the most high-performing ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, making the attacks not only unprovoked but highly mistimed.
Addressing specific criticisms regarding the South-East region and political succession, Ejidike dismissed arguments that Umahi had shortchanged his home region, or that his family members should be barred from political participation.
“Senator Umahi serves all Nigerians across board, and the South-East zone has objectively fared far better under his current portfolio than it did under many of his predecessors,” he noted.
