Picture: Engr Senator David Umahi
Episode 1
By Engr. Uneojo Paul Obulum (Nweze)
The true measure of a great leader is not the number of idle touts a politician can mobilise to attack those with opposing views, but the number of lives positively impacted by his actions.
True leadership transcends religious, ethnic and political affiliations. A great leader is not a conditional philanthropist who offers assistance only when an election is approaching, nor one who bends to extremism merely for political advantage.
For years, Senator Dave Umahi has demonstrated a commitment to transforming lives in Ebonyi State and beyond. Interestingly, many of his interventions, according to his admirers, have been carried out without excessive publicity or media attention.
His political journey also reflects a steady rise through the ranks. In 2007, he was appointed Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, where he was expected to contribute to the stabilisation of the party.
His performance at the grassroots level subsequently earned him the substantive chairmanship position, following his election as Ebonyi State PDP Chairman in 2009.
Umahi later became Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State in 2011 and was elected Governor in 2015. His progression from the grassroots to the highest political office in the state remains, to his supporters, evidence of a leader who understands political organisation and grassroots mobilisation.
As Governor between 2015 and 2023, Umahi empowered and promoted many people who worked with him. Several individuals who served at the local government level rose to become commissioners and occupied other strategic positions.
That, to me, is one of the defining qualities of leadership: the ability to create opportunities for others to grow.
Our man of the moment, Senator Umahi, is not portrayed as a leader who wants to prevent
