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Chairman Enugu Capital Territory appears before Assembly..ends faceoff

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Chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Dr Josef Onoh Thursday appeared before the State Assembly marking the end of a running battle between the duo.

Both parties were thrown into a misunderstanding weeks ago after the ECTDA boss was reported to have failed to honour an invitation by an adhoc committee set up by the House.

However, Onoh was at the State Assembly on Thursday, where he appeared before a committee of the whole, during which he denied snubbing the State lawmakers.

He said he was rather indisposed when the invitation came owing to some other State functions, prompting him to delegate someone else.

While entertaining questions from the lawmakers, Onoh said, “I did not disrespect the House; in no form have I disrespected the House, nor did I turn down the invitation of the House.

“I didn’t turn your invitations down, the only thing is that the staff we sent came empty-handed because we didn’t give him any document to present to the committee. I never said that the House wanted financial inducement.”

“None of the invitations was turned down; any insult on the House is an insult on my person,” said Onoh who is a former member of the Enugu House of Assembly.

Meanwhile, in what appears to be a clarification, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi said the House was not comfortable with the developments that followed the invitation of the ECTDA boss.

He said Onoh was invited to have a discussion with the House on issues bordering on multiple taxation, adding that at no time did the issue of “summon and land grabbing” come up.

Ubosi, who doused the tension in the House, extolled Onoh’s work in the agency, remarking that Onoh’s father contributed greatly to the creation of Enugu state.

He clarified that, “It was only on the allegations of extortion of levies and double taxation. The House is not happy with your attitude because you were a member of this House of Assembly who served well as House Committee chairman on appropriation and the records are there. I remember your father fought for the State House of Assembly and for the state, same as my grandfather.

“We don’t have issues with you. We are happy with your duty as the Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority because I know that it’s not easy. Our invitation was just a meeting which turned into politics and you are a young man with a future, this is not good at all.”

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“Go and Verify”: How Sunday Umeha Is Redefining Representation in Ezeagu/Udi

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Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha has continued to distinguish himself not only as a grassroots politician but as a sound parliamentarian who clearly understands the true essence of legislative representation and public service.

Since emerging as the Member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Umeha has consistently demonstrated capacity, vision, and commitment both on the floor of the National Assembly and within his constituency.

Unlike many politicians whose promises disappear after elections, Rt. Hon. Umeha has steadily transformed his campaign mantra, “Go and Verify,” into practical realities visible across communities in Ezeagu and Udi Federal Constituency.

From road construction to solar-powered streetlights, classroom projects, healthcare interventions, agricultural empowerment, scholarships, boreholes, and youth development programmes, his stewardship has remained rooted in service delivery and measurable impact.

Observers say one of the strongest qualities that separates Umeha from many lawmakers is his deep understanding of parliamentary responsibilities. Through strategic bills and motions, he has continued to show that representation goes beyond rhetoric and political appearances.

Among several notable legislative efforts, he sponsored bills seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, reforms in the education sector through the abolition of levies in public basic schools, mandatory insurance protection for NYSC members, and the establishment of a National Football Academy.

He also sponsored motions addressing critical national concerns, including the investigation into the gruesome killing of Nigerians by soldiers in Enugu State and the urgent completion of the Karshi/Apo Road project in Abuja to ease traffic congestion.

Political analysts note that these interventions reflect a lawmaker who understands that effective representation must combine constituency development with strong legislative advocacy.

Many constituents equally commend him for remaining faithful to the promises he made during his campaigns. Across the constituency, residents point to completed and ongoing projects as evidence that the lawmaker has not reneged on his commitments to the people.

Beyond governance and legislative duties, Rt. Hon. Umeha also played significant roles in efforts aimed at restoring sanity, stability, and internal cohesion within the Labour Party before his eventual defection to the APC.

Sources within the political space in Enugu State revealed that Umeha consistently pushed for peace, unity, and institutional order within the party during periods of internal crisis and leadership disagreements. His interventions were said to be driven by the desire to protect the interests of party members and preserve the integrity of the platform.

However, following prolonged internal challenges and unresolved structural issues within the Labour Party, the federal lawmaker eventually moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a decision many political observers described as strategic and inevitable.

Despite the political transition, supporters insist that his focus has remained unchanged — delivering quality representation, empowering constituents, and sustaining developmental projects across Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency.

For many residents, Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha represents a rare blend of grassroots leadership, legislative competence, humility, and political responsibility.

And across the constituency, the verdict from many communities remains simple:

“He promised, and he delivered.”

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