The plot for the defection of top government officials in Ebonyi State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) thickened yesterday with the state House of Assembly giving a seven-day ultimatum to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the presidency to the South-east zone in 2023.

The ultimatum has strengthened the speculation that the Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, is planning to lead executive council members and the state lawmakers, elected on PDP platform, to join the APC.

Umahi, who is rumoured to be nursing higher political ambition in 2023, had reportedly perfected plans to cross over to the nation’s ruling party.

At a press conference in Abakaliki, the state capital, the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, warned that the PDP would pay heavily if the party fails to adhere to the request.

Twenty two out of the 24 members of the state House of Assembly were present while two lawmakers were absent.

The lawmakers also warned the PDP not to contemplate removing the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus.

Nwifuru said: “We are giving our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seven days’ ultimatum to summon the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party and zone the position of the presidency to the South-east, Nigeria, especially as INEC has officially announced the date of the presidential election.

He said: “Equally, the party should not contemplate to remove the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, as it is customary that the zone (South) from where the National Chairman comes from produces the presidential candidate of the party. If this advice is not adhered to, it will further divide and destabilise the party along sectional and regional lines.

“Failure to adhere to these kind requests will cost our party heavily and we, the honourable members of the sixth Ebonyi State House of Assembly will leave no stone unturned in taking decisive actions to ensure that traditions and dividends of democracy are respected in our party.”

The lawmakers noted that since the rebirth of democracy in 1999, the South-east zone has paid its dues having worked assiduously and massively voted for all the presidential candidates of PDP from other zones in the country, stressing that in the spirit of democracy, equity, justice and fairness, the presidency, come 2023, be zoned to the South-east.

The lawmakers noted that since the rebirth of democracy in 1999, the South-east zone has paid its dues having worked assiduously and massively voted for all the presidential candidates of PDP from other zones in the country, stressing that in the spirit of democracy, equity, justice and fairness, the presidency, come 2023, be zoned to the South-east.

8y88y8:
After ENDSARS let's join hands and#ENDXVIDEOS

DonFreshmoney:
No be by force legislators... we know that this message is from the hands of Esau (Umahi)..

But I don't understand that statement, presidential candidate of PDP is meant to come from the same region as national chairman... are these people drunk?

Teejay13:
Who then is the rightful candidate in the south east?

I can't see no one for now.

okpalaAnambra:

Who are u ma.. What's you're region and where do you come from.. Igbo presidency will stabilise Nigeria as igbos are known for equity and fair play.. We won't have been where we are agitating today

obembet:
WE DON'T NEED PDP/APC AGAIN. WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING ATTACH TO APC/PDP. EVEN IF THEY ZONE IT TO WEST OR EAST. WE WON'T VOTE THEM. WE ARR TAKING OVER

Firstorderwizard:
Ebonyi lawbreakersmakers and Umahi is irrelevant right now.
Youths will take over power.
No more PDP/APC. This ancestors must go back to the old people's homes and enjoy their old age. They have no business with governance.
#Endsars
#Endbadgovernance

awhybliss:
E don red for this country oo... What should atiku who have been spending immersely do?