In a powerful display of gratitude and respect for legacy, the Minister of Works and immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, HE Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, on Saturday, December 20, 2025, paid Christmas and season greetings visits to the first and second former Governors of Ebonyi State, HE Dr. Sam Egwu and HE Chief Martin Elechi, at their respective residences.
The visits were not ceremonial. They were deeply symbolic. At a time when Nigerian politics is often defined by amnesia, rivalry and quiet erasure of the past, Umahi chose a different path. He returned to the roots of his political journey to publicly acknowledge those who shaped him.
While addressing Pa Elechi, the Minister spoke with emotion and candour, reminding everyone present that leadership without gratitude is hollow.
“It’s the season of Christmas, and I have come to thank you, my boss, for all you did for me in my political formative years.
“You made me Party Chairman; from there, you made me Deputy Governor, and in all those positions, you made me very strong. You even took me to Venezuela with President Jonathan, so I will not forget.
“And I am teaching Ebonyi people to show gratitude to people who have helped them, because that is the source of blessing, and not to continue to look for bad things to say about such a person.
“Or when the person is no longer helping you, you forget the past. So, we are very grateful, sir. My wife and my children are very grateful to you. This is where our journey started.
“We may not be able to repay you fully, but we pray that God will continue to give you good health for us to continue to appreciate you.”
The words were more than personal appreciation. They were statements, a reminder that progress is built on shoulders, not erasure. By invoking his rise from Party Chairman to Deputy Governor and he eventually progressed to Governor, Umahi traced a clear line of mentorship and institutional continuity under Elechi’s leadership, including exposure at the national level during a foreign engagement with former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Pa Elechi, visibly moved, responded with warmth and pride. His joy was unmistakable, and his appreciation knew no bounds. True to his long-held public and private stance, he reiterated that the Minister remains “his pikin he is well pleased with.” What struck him most, he said, was Umahi’s humility.
He noted with deep satisfaction that, “even as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he still calls me his boss.”
In a political climate often driven by ego and power distance, the moment stood out. It sent a clear message to younger politicians and the wider public: titles may change, offices may rise, but character, loyalty and gratitude endure.
Francis Nwaze
December 20, 2025
