Ex Ebonyi Governor Elechi rejects N29 Million Jeep from Successor

Martin Elechi, the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi state has rejected a Toyota V8 SUV gift given to him by his successor, David Umahi who was also his deputy Governor.

The state government had acquired four SUVs for former governors of the state at the cost of N29 million each with the vehicles intended for Mr. Elechi and another former governor, Sam Egwu. Ogbonnaya Onu and Pius Anyim are also to benefit from the lavish gift from the governor.

The government, in a letter to the beneficiaries, said the gifts were “in recognition of their role in promotion of democracy in Ebonyi State and for meritorious services in that regard.”

Mr. Elechi, however in a reply to the letter, rejected the car, saying he found it hard to convince himself that he fitted into the category of those the governor wished to honour.
He also argued that his role in the promotion and sustenance of democracy was the antithesis of what was being practiced in the state today under the Umahi administration.

The former governor also wondered why the same government, which had refused to pay his entitlements and severance package, would cough out enough money to purchase such exorbitant car for him.

“Let me remind you that for the past twelve (12) months, I have not been paid my salaries and second term severance allowance. These are my entitlements under the law of Ebonyi State; they are not a favour,” Mr. Elechi said in the letter exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

“But of what use is this practice of sending seasonal gifts to a man who is being hounded and denied of his lawful official entitlements?”

The former governor also upbraided his successor for the smear campaign against him and his term in office.

Meanwhile, a group, The Save Ebonyi Network, has condemned the gift of cars to the former governors of the state by Mr. Umahi.

Okorie Nnamdi,its National Coordinator and Secretary, Mbam Ofoke, said the gift was a waste of public funds especially as the state and country was presently witnessing dwindling revenue from the federal allocation.

He wondered why the beneficiaries, who in every sense could afford the cars on their own, would be given the cars at a time when the state government was busy cutting salaries of health workers in the state.

Source – Premium Times