David Nweze Umahi, popularly called Dave Umahi, is the current Governor of Ebonyi State.
Dave Umahi was born on July 25, 1964. He is the son of Margaret Umahi and Elder Joseph Umahi Nweze of Umunaga, Uburu, in the former Ohaozara Local Government Area and present-day Ebonyi State.
He comes from a family of nine, which includes Major-General Obi Abel Umahi (Retd.), the former chairman of the South-East Security Committee, Ebubeagu, who resigned in May 2021, and two females and seven boys. Austin Umahi Nweze, a lawyer, and Roy Umahi Nweze, a former deputy chairman for the southeast region of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Umahi received his secondary education from Ishiagu High School and the Government Secondary School of Afikpo before enrolling in the Anambra State University of Science and Technology in 1982. He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.
While attending Anambra State University of Science and Technology, he was chosen to serve as a senator for the engineering faculty in the student government and excelled in all school senate proceedings.
Career
Engineer Dave Umahi started his professional career immediately after completing his one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He began working for SCC Nig. Ltd., an Israeli company and a water engineering giant, as an engineer and eventually advanced to the project engineer position. The historic Umuahia Water Project and the Ndiegoro Aba Flood Control measures between 1988 and 1990 are a few of the projects he oversaw.
He co-founded Norman Engineering and Construction Nig. Limited with the then-MD of the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON), Port-Harcourt, Dr Ombo Isokarari, and by 1993 he had become General Manager and shareholder. Before his resignation in March 2011 to pursue his political ambition as the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, he served as Chairman and CEO of Brass Engineering & Construction Nig Ltd, Focus Investment Nig Ltd, and Osborn La Palm Royal Resort Ltd.
Umahi entered politics as the temporary leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State in 2007. He was the party’s state chairman from 2009 until 2011. He chaired the governing board of the Federal Medical Center in Asaba for a year during that time.
Governor
Umahi was elected deputy governor of Ebonyi State on a ticket with the then-Gov. Martin Elechi in 2011.
However, in 2014, Governor Elechi backed Onyebuchi Chukwu as his replacement, which Umahi claimed went against the deal that he would fill that position.
Chukwu was ultimately defeated in the primaries by Umahi. Arson attacks on the House of Assembly in February 2015 and efforts to impeach Elechi later that month amid allegations of unconstitutional gross misconduct, financial embezzlement, and anti-party activity marked the remainder of Elechi’s mandate as chaotic.
On April 12, 2015, Umahi was elected as Governor. The Labour Party, the All Progressives Congress, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance challenged the election results due to widespread irregularities, murders, and willful property destruction. The Governorship Election Tribunal affirmed the validity of the election in October 2015.
Umahi won re-election as Governor of Ebonyi State in the election that took place on March 16. He got 393,343 votes, defeating Sonny Ogbuoji of the APC, who garnered 81,703 votes.
He was elected as flagbearer of the APC in the Ebonyi South Senatorial District elections in 2022.
Road Construction
Ebonyi Governor David Umahi has completed over 20 roads in the capital city of Abakaliki. In particular, the Afikpo-Abakaliki Road and the Nkalagu Road have been rebuilt.
Education
The previous administration failed to get the Universal Basic Education Commission to provide billions of naira in matching funds. The Umahi government made its payment and received the funds to start rebuilding and outfitting schools. Additionally, he approved the state university staff advancement, a decision that had been on hold for years.
Dave Umahi net worth
The Governor has an estimated $1-$5 million net worth.
Wife
Umahi is married to Chief (Mrs.) Rachel Umahi and they have seven kids together.
