Ebonyi: Umahi May Dump PDP For APC This Week

There are speculations that the defection of Governor David Umahi and local government chairmen in Ebonyi State from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress may be confirmed this week.

Recall that there were reports on Saturday that Umahi had joined the APC, his media aide, however, denied the report.

Chinedu Ogah, the lawmaker representing the Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, on Saturday, while speaking with Punch noted that the Ebonyi State Governor have joined the APC.

The lawmaker called on anyone doubting the report to quote him anywhere and at anytime.

He said, “Yes, Governor Umahi’s defection to our great party, the APC, is a step in the right direction. We cannot afford to remain in opposition. We must join the ruling party to continue to reap the dividends of democracy.”

“I am calling on other governors in the South-East to toe the line of Governor Umahi and join the APC. We have to be at the centre; we have to join mainstream politics for the overall development of our zone and the country in general.”

“President Muhammadu Buhari has done well. Everybody should join the APC to encourage him.”

A source in the Presidency, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that the defection plan of Umahi has been concluded.

The source noted that Umahi upon his arrival from Abuja, met with all the 13 local government area chairmen to discuss the movement with them.

A member of the APC and spokesman of Alaigbo Development Foundation, Chief Abia Onyike, also said the defection of Umahi was very true.

Onyike stated, “Governor Umahi’s defection is very true. With the influence of people like Senator Obinna Ogba and the other National Assembly members, he appears uncomfortable in the PDP as the party can no longer give him the edge he enjoyed ab initio. That was fallout of the state congress boycotted by the Abuja group, which petitioned the national leadership of the party. So, he had no option but to look elsewhere.”

“The PDP is no longer ready to allow him to produce the National Vice Chairman of the party in the yet to be organised zonal congress. He wants to be in the APC to pursue his presidential ambition.”