Why I Oppose The Nomination Of Peter Obi As Atiku’s Running Mate –Gov Umahi

Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi, has berated his critics on social media, especially as regards his position on the selection of Peter Obi as Atiku Abubakar running-mate for 2019 elections.

The Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, who described his critics as uninformed, explained that South-East leaders were not consulted in making the decision on Obi’s nomination.

The governor made his opinion on the matter known on Tuesday, while speaking to newsmen in Ebonyi State capital, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme on socio-economic development.

Umehi, lamented the reason why no one from Ebonyi and Imo states made the list of the running mate nominees.

“Nobody is against Peter Obi, because he is my friend, competent and you must have seen our pictures together on the social media.”

“We must take decisions against the marginalisation of Ebonyi people because if we have to vote, we must be treated with equity.

“Two names of the nominees came from Anambra, two from Abia and one from Enugu, but none came from Ebonyi and Imo.

“What is wrong with somebody from Ebonyi and Imo? If you must know, one of the reasons an Ebonyi man is against regions in the country is the fear of further marginalisation,” he added.

The governor remarked that if Atiku just picked his running mate without people from other regions seeing the list and making choices, there could have been no complaints.

“I am talking about the southeast people and if six people can come from other regions and take decisions, there must be somebody from the southeast zone.

“There is nothing like the southeast governor’s stand on the matter; but we are only saying that when decisions are taken and people from other regions are invited, those from the southeast must be invited.

“The southeast leaders never issued any statement on the matter and anybody from the zone who says that our stand is not good, is not a human being,” he said.

The governor, however, urged the UNDP team to ensure the implementation of the MoU to sustain the gains of the Sustainable Development Goals in the state.

Dr. Samuel Bwalya, the UNDP Country Representative in Nigeria, explained that SDG dwelt on 17 goals with 169 targets aimed at eradicating poverty in UNDP-benefiting states and countries.

“UNDP focuses on governance, peace and conflict resolution, inclusive growth, job creation, environmental management and strategic support for the next five years of its intervention in Ebonyi.” he said.