_Abakaliki, Ebonyi State – Osborne Umahi, the 28‑year‑old son of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has officially secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination to contest the chairmanship of Ohaozara Local Government Area in the upcoming August 2026 council elections. He obtained the party’s nomination and expression‑of‑interest forms at the APC State Secretariat in Abakaliki on Friday, accompanied by a large contingent of party stakeholders, youth groups, and supporters from Ohaozara.
At the secretariat, Osborne was received by the APC state executive committee led by Chairman Stanley Okoro‑Emegha, who described him as “an intelligent and capable young politician and businessman” and expressed confidence that he could deliver effective leadership and elevate Ohaozara to new heights [1][4]. In his remarks, Osborne thanked the people of Ohaozara for their nomination, promising not to betray their trust and pledging to sustain his father’s legacy in infrastructure development while placing youth empowerment at the core of his agenda.
The young candidate emphasized that his administration would focus on creating innovative programmes for young people, tackling unemployment, and delivering projects that positively impact lives across the local government. He also assured residents that he would discharge his duties “diligently, fairly and without fear or favour” if elected.
Osborne’s emergence comes amid a broader political narrative in Ebonyi State, where the ruling APC holds sway over local‑government elections, making the party’s ticket a strong indicator of eventual victory. Observers note that with the APC’s dominance, Osborne’s candidacy could effectively translate into a win, further cementing the Umahi family’s political influence in the state [2][5]. Governor Francis Nwifuru has publicly endorsed Osborne, describing the support as “the height of appreciation” for the longstanding alliance between the Umahi and Nwifuru political camps.
The Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission is expected to release the official timetable for the council polls shortly, as political activities intensify across the 13 local government areas. If successful, Osborne Umahi will join a growing list of political heirs in Nigeria, raising questions about dynastic politics and youth inclusion in governance.
