The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi has denied insinuations in some quarters that he was behind the governorship ambition of Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
He spoke at his Uburu, country home in Ohaozara Local government Area on Wednesday while receiving members of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Ebonyi Elders Council and other visitors who paid him Christmas homage.
The Governor, who is the flagbearer of Ebonyi South senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, said such insinuations are far from the truth, stating that he would have preferred to support Obinna Ogba, who is from a different zone than Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii if he must choose.
The Governor, however, emphasized that it was neither the turn of the South nor the Central where the duo belong, to produce the next governor.
Umahi said: “Those who say that the PDP candidate is a tool in our hand are wrong.
“If they know the attack I face every day, they won’t say that.
“If I were to support, I would prefer Obinna Ogba who came from a tiny constituency, not a man who jumped out from nowhere and is throwing his money around.”
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The Governor further enjoined the stakeholders of Ebonyi South to resist the temptation of supporting any governorship contestant from the zone, stressing that it was the turn of Ebonyi North to produce the next governor.
Making a case for the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, and the APC guber candidate, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Umahi admonished the CAN, Elders, Founding Fathers and all stakeholders to support zoning and power rotation, for sustained peace in the State.
“When we were contesting in 2015, the North and Central supported us, their leaders stood with us.
“The issue of zoning, the issue of power rotation is so we can have peace in the State.
“So, we will disgrace with our votes, anybody from the South coming out to contest for governor come 2023.”
Speaking for the CAN, the Southeast CAN chairman, Reverend Father Abraham Nwali said they came in the spirit of Christmas to felicitate the Governor and pray with him for continued peace, welfare and development of the State.
Other stakeholders who spoke, including the Chairman, Ohaozara Local Government Area, Hon Chinonso Ajah; Chairman Afikpo North LGA, Hon Uche Ibiam, among others, assured the Governor of their support to him and other APC candidates.
The Governor during the event also hosted the Board and management of David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu; Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo.
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