2023: Ebonyi State Governor might Defect To APC Soon

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, might dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for All Progressives Congress (APC) anytime soon.

The local chapter of the APC on Sunday, expressed gladness following rumours of the governor’s impending defection, saying that it as a welcome development.

According to sources, Umahi is seeking a platform to pursue his future political ambition after completing his second tenure in 2023.

It is alleged that the governor aims to contest the 2023 Presidential elections or run as a vice president.

It would be recalled that 22 members of the 24-member Ebonyi State House of Assembly, on October 19, gave the leadership of the PDP a seven-day ultimatum to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the Southeast.

A day after, the local chapter of the PDP served a similar notice to the party’s national leadership on the quest of the Southeast to take the next shot at President.

The anticipated reception for Umahi by the APC was contained in a communique issued yesterday at the end of a stakeholder meeting in Abakaliki, the state capital and was read by former Ohaozara Local Government Area Chairman, Chaka Nweze.

The APC Secretary in the state, John Okochi, who said he was aware of discussions between Umahi and the party’s leadership in Abuja said:

“I am aware that there are talks between the governor and our headquarters in Abuja. But whether the discussions have been concluded or not is what I cannot say. I am, however, very sure that once that it is done, the headquarters will formally communicate the state secretariat notifying us that such a person is coming as a part of us. That will enable us to prepare to welcome him formally.”

When asked if it was true that Umahi had registered as an APC member in his ward, he replied:

“If he has, I cannot say categorically. That is an issue within the ward or his local government which is Ohaozara. For now, the state secretariat is not aware of that.”

The Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji, declined comment on Umahi’s planned defection when contacted.

“We need to really wait till we get to the bridge before we cross. We don’t have to jump the gun. I think it is premature to begin to discuss the issue,” Orji said, adding it was too premature to begin to speculate.

At yesterday’s meeting, the APC expressed its preparedness to work with the governor, who it said deserved support having done his best to lift the state.

The party also said the governor’s imminent defection will boost the Southeast’s chances of producing Nigeria’s next president in 2023.

The APC stakeholders charged the governor to rally other governors in the region to join the party so as to enable the region take its deserved place in the scheme of things in national politics.