“Beware of praise-singers” – Former Ebonyi governor warns Tinubu’s minister

A former governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi, has advised the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to tread carefully amid the growing wave of praises being lavished on him by political allies and admirers.

Speaking on Saturday during a civic reception held in honour of the minister at Okposi Okwu in Ohaozara Local Government Area, Elechi, who handed over to Umahi in 2015, warned that many of the accolades may be laced with ulterior motives.

His words: “You deserve the praises being showered on you, but many are traps. They are either trying to gain favours from you or attempting to mislead you.”

Reflecting on their political history, Elechi recalled Umahi’s rise within the ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that his impressive performance as state party chairman influenced his selection as deputy governor in 2011.

He said: “The way he managed party affairs reminded me of my time as NPN secretary in the Second Republic. I asked him to prepare to run with me in the 2011 elections, and Ebonyi people overwhelmingly supported us.

“I remain the only Nigerian truly qualified to call him my son.”

The former governor urged Umahi to stay focused and avoid distractions that could derail his current responsibilities as minister.

“From party chairman to minister, everything he has done makes us proud. I am proud because he is my political product, and I pray for God’s guidance over his life,” he said.