The chairman of the South-East governors’ forum and governor of Ebonyi State Chief David Umahi on Wednesday said the main reason for his defection to the All Progressive Congress, APC, is to protest against the marginalization of the zone by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Umahi who made this known while briefing journalists at the new government house, argued that if PDP does not have an ulterior motive, why will they not make a statement zoning the 2023 presidency to the south-east.
He stated that there will be a mass exodus of stakeholders from PDP to APC in the zone.
The governor also noted that he has no presidential ambition and has not been promised by anyone for the presidential seat in 2023.
He stressed that contrary to the allegation that he left because he was not promised the presidential ticket by the PDP, the governor noted that he would not have collected the ticket even if it was given to him.
He said that his decision to leave the PDP was because of the injustice against the people of the South-East zone by the Party not minding that the late Vice President, Alex Ekwueme was a foundation member of the party.
“I am not driven by selfish interests but because we need to protest against marginalisation. We have benefited more from the APC government. I didn’t start this protest today. I have no regrets. In life you have to be courageous” he said.
Umahi noted that the over 50 organizations, State House of Assembly and the State Working Committee of the PDP in Ebonyi State have demanded that the position be zoned to the South East.
He added that the PDP has not been fair to the South-East zone which necessitated his decision to quit the Party as a sacrifice for the purpose of actualization of the President from the South-East zone.
Umahi explained that having been a successful Governor for two tenures and a successful businessman he would return to business where he also has a calling.
Umahi said the South East has remained faithful to PDP, voted for her candidates yet had not been considered fairly in the Nigerian polity.
He further explained that if an Igbo man is President he would naturally be protective of all sections of the country more so because the Igbo have a stake in all parts of Nigeria
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