The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has finally confirmed his defection to the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


He told journalists in Abakaliki on Tuesday that he had no regrets leaving the PDP.

The governor said he moved to the APC because of “injustice” meted out to the South-east by the PDP.

He said that he had no deal with the APC or any member of the party with regards to the zoning of the presidential position to the region.

He said: “I want to clear the air that I never sought (for) PDP presidential ticket and I will not. So whoever that said that I moved to APC because they refused to zone the ticket to me is being very mischievous.

“Even if PDP promises somebody presidential ticket how does it work where over 8000 delegates will be voting. And such promise cannot happen with more than 10 or 20 people so people are being very mischievous about that.

“There are a lot of qualified persons from South-east. Some people say I was promised lots of things by the APC, there was no such discussion. APC never promised me any position, they never promised South-east any position.

“However, I offered this movement as a protest to injustice being done to South-east by the PDP. Since 1999, the South-east have supported the PDP. At a time the five states were all PDP. One of the founding members of the PDP was from South-east, the late former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme.

“It is absurd that since 1999 going to 2023, the South-east will never be considered to run for presidency under the PDP. And this is my position and will continue to be my position. It had nothing to do with me or my ambition,” Mr Umahi said.

Mr Umahi insisted that he would continue to agitate for the interest of the South-east in or out of office.

He said he has decided to become the “sacrificial lamb” that would be crucified for the interest and good of the South-east as a zone.

The Ebonyi State governor said he was not driven by selfish reasons.

He said that he has since 2019 started the agitation for South-east Presidency, insisting that the zone must get it right now or else wait for another couple of years to get such opportunity again.

Mr Umahi further noted that despite his movement to the APC, he would not castigate the Peoples Democratic Party.

He still expressed hope that the PDP will consider the region and zone the Presidency to South-east for equity and fairness.

Mr Umahi, who said he might quit politics in 2023, said he has not yet declared interest for the presidency and would support any candidate from the zone for the position.

On the reason given by the PDP that it was not yet time for the issue of zoning, the governor said the PDP leadership was being economical with the truth.

“In 2015, PDP had zoned the next presidential slot to the north against 2019. Then the statement in Bauchi that the presidential slot is open to all parts of the country and the overtures and scheming to remove most members of the National Working Committee, these are some of the indications that the party has no intention of zoning it to the South-east.

“The point is very simple. In 2023, I would have been in PDP between 23 and 24 years and south east never really supported APC the way they are supporting PDP and in that 2023, they would have been eight years in office but it would have been about 23 years going.

“So, I believe strongly that the will of God will come to play but I believe that APC is amenable to working with South-east from all indication, it’s amenable and I also believe that until justice and equity is implanted in this nation Nigeria, it is difficult for Nigeria to make progress,” Mr Umahi said.

SOURCE: https://ngg.ng/i-have-no-regret-dumping-pdp-for-apc-gov-dave-umahi/

Umahi did wonders in Ebonyi, I pray that Buhari's body odour won't affect your performance now that you have decamped to APC.

Whether you remain in PDP or decamp to APC, we are not voting for any old man come 2023. It has to be the youth or nothing.

I support you with all my heart. APC and PDP are the same. If PDP thinks they cannot give Igbos ticket then no need being in PDP.

I just pray APC gives u the ticket since you are the best governor at present in Nigeria

Time will tell

He didn't know about the injustice in 2015 when he wanted the governorship ticket from the party or in 2019? Politicians and their selfish interests, I just pity people wey dey carry APC/PDP matter for head... We need a new set of leaders with a different understanding of what leadership is all about.

you are right mr governor, in fact it is good for democracy.

Its too early to have regrets. Ask Godswill Akpabio. Even Saraki thought Kwarans were zommbie and will follow him wherever he leads them until Otoge came and swept him away...he was too embarrassed to even challenge the election in court. Also, ask Pastor Ize-Iyamu. To date, he is the only candidate to lose election home and away, back to back. If the people are with you, fine and good. But if not, well......................

Absolutely confused fellow. Now backtracking you and down.
No sane person in politics will pull the stunt he just did when you have former Vice Presidents, Senate presidents, governors and other top legislators in your party who are far higher in rank than you.
This is the pride of the igbos that always causes their downfall that he just displayed for the whole world.

Sad truth, an igbo person cannot win presidency in Nigeria because the North won’t support and the north controls all arms of government right now and won’t let it go.
It is sad, but no one who has power wants to let it go except God intervenes!
Even with a Northern VP, igbo cannot become president in 2023. Any smart politician will know this. Quite disappointed with how he made a fool of himself.