MY DEFECTION IS TO PROTEST INJUSTICE AGAINST SOUTH-EAST — GOV UMAHI
Reporter : AMECHI ODO
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State says his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to protest against injustice being done to the people of the South East in zoning presidential ticket by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999.
He stated this while briefing journalists on political development in the state at Government House Abakaliki.
The Governor’s briefing was the first since rumour about his defection from PDP to APC started milling out.
He noted that the people of the South East had not been treated fairly by PDP, emphasising that it was obvious that APC was more amenable to working with the zone in 2023.
“Let it be known to all that nobody promised me anything. Let it be known to all that I move because of injustice, and I have no regret about that. Some people say, you will regret this movement and I laugh at them, they talk as if they saw God, as if they are my God. I am satisfied being a businessman, I am satisfied doing my businesses. That is all,” the Governor said.
Chief Umahi noted that it was not true that he was planning to defect because the ruling party had promised him presidential ticket pointing out that he would quit politics and return to his private business in 2023.
“Let me first clarify that I never sought for PDP presidential ticket and so, whosoever is saying that I moved to APC because they refused to zone the ticket to me is being very mischievous because even if PDP promises an individual a presidential ticket; how does it work when over 8000 delegates will be electing the person and such promise cannot happen with ten or twenty people. So, people are being very mischievous about that but there are a lot of prominent people from South East,” Governor Umahi clarified.
He stated that his refusal to castigate President Muhammadu Buhari was misconstrued in some quarters, pointing out that he had no choice but to support his administration because of his disposition to the development of the state.
“One thing I promise is that I will never castigate PDP, just like, in PDP, my only sin is that I refuse to castigate Mr. President. Until thy kingdom come, I will not do that because that is not my family character but those who don’t have character were very suspicious of me because I don’t castigate President and they thought I could be leaking information about PDP,” Governor Umahi remarked.
Governor Umahi emphasised the need for equity, fairness and justice, noting that the people of South East had qualified people, who could occupy Presidential seat if given the opportunity.