Gov Umahi, EFCC have made my life a bondage –Ex Gov Elechi

Immediate past governor of Ebonyi state, Chief Martin Elechi says that the EFCC has ruined his life in retirement and subjected him to a life of bondage.

He lamented that instead of enjoying a quiet retirement after his service to his state, his freedom has been curtailed, having to face 54 petitions before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Elechi spoke to newsmen at his country home, Echialike Ikwo during a press conference preceding a thanksgiving church service being organized by former members of his state executive council and former council chairmen and friends.

He pointed at his former deputy and now governor of the state, Engr David Umahi, whom he said is responsible for his
ordeal because he (Elechi) refused to support Umahi’s governorship ambition in 2015.

He lamented that though out on bail, he has been restricted to his home and frequent invitation to Abuja to respond to the EFCC queries.

He explained that his major offense may have been his decision to anoint someone else as against his former deputy as his choice of successor in office, an action he said, triggered series of political maneuvers that pitched him against Umahi who was then backed by the federal might and the party hierarchy.

According to him, he refused to support Umahi, because he felt the present governor lacked the spirit of accommodation and other qualities necessary for a person occupying such position.

He said: “I have no apologies to anybody or to any group of people for what happened. I still stick to my conscience and to my belief that what I did in that circumstance is what I should do”

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“Yes I made my point clear to him (Umahi) as early as September 2014 that I wouldn’t support him because my observation showed me that he lacked certain qualities that we hold very high and very dear in governance; the spirit of accommodation.

“That whether you are in opposition or in government you have a right to be protected, you have a right to say your mind and somebody who opposed you was not necessarily your enemy or your opponent.

“We believe that everybody has the right to differ and if you don’t accommodate people’s quest to differ, it is a major minus to you in governance. But having said so, your destiny is your destiny, I have no control over your destiny, if it is God’s wish that you become governor then you will be”.

Elechi also contended that there was, “no real elections in Ebonyi state” as according to him, everything was stage-managed and skewed against his choice candidates using federal might.

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