Outrage As David Umahi University Orders Staff To Attend Minister's Son LG Election Campaign Rally

Outrage As David Umahi University Orders Staff To Attend Minister's Son LG Election Campaign Rally

From Omaka OKOH

Outrage has greeted the directive by the authorities of David Umahi federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) ordering all staff to attend a solidarity rally in honour of the founder, Engr Sen David Nweze Umahi, Hon Minister for Works for the local government election.

The DUFUHS directive is coming days before the Ebonyi State local government elections, scheduled for August 22 across the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards.

Recall that Umahi's son, Osborne Nweze Umahi, emerged as the APC candidate for the Ohaozara chairmanship election in January 2026 after securing 55 votes from accredited delegates across the local government’s 11 wards.

The primary election was held at Obiozara Primary School, Uburu in which the Deputy Chairman of the APC in Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Alphonsus Nwali, declares Osborn winner of the peaceful and transparent election.

In a notice signed by the Director of SERVICOM, Cardinal A Umahi, read in part: 

"I've been directed to inform all staff of DUFUHS to attend a solidarity rally in honour of our founder, *Engr Sen David Nweze Umahi, Hon Minister for Works* for the local government election.

 "The rally is mandatory for all staff as attendance would be taken at the Minister's home town in Uburu. Those living in Uburu are to be in the University by 8:00am to collect their T-Shirts before moving to Minister's house.

"The University has made arrangements for five buses including the coaster bus to be at the Ecumenical Center to convey staff living in Abakaliki to Uburu and also bring them back after the rally.

"The buses will leave Ecumenical Center Abakaliki by 9:00am to Uburu. Our staff living in Abakaliki are advised to be there by 8:00am for onward movement to Uburu."

The rally is slated for August 17, 2026 at Minister's home town in Umunaga, Uburu, Ebonyi State.

However, Nigerians have reacted angrily on the Twitter, formerly X, describing such directive as "nonsensical and display of arrogance in power."

Reacting on his X handle, Dapo Adeyemi said :

"With the present leaders, we are in a big problem. However, anything that has a beginning must have an end. This time shall definitely pass."

According to MOB, "Nigerian politicians can be so disturbing. How can a campaign rally be made compulsory for students simply because they attend a particular politician’s university? Do those students no longer have the right to choose who they want to vote for? Attending a university should never mean surrendering your political freedom. This is deeply disturbing and embarrassing."

Justice Only lashes out the Minister, Saying, "It is not his university, it belongs to the Federal Government (us) and the school name can be changed in future. My brother they have imported Lagos approach to their various States. In Lagos, they would mandated market women, local government employees, LAWMA Streets sweepers to attend political rallies."

Taking a swipe at such a directive, Chief Anayo Ede, said: "The recklessness and impunity in Nigeria is becoming quite worrisome. What does this mean?"

For Eke Rich, "Nobody deserves to return in body bag because they went out to genuinely hustle for their daily. May God protect our going and coming back."