Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has said that his failure to emerge as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the presidential primary election was the will of God, but avoids question about his lack of support for Peter Obi.
BASIC FACTS
- Governor Dave Umahi, on Friday failed to public support Peter Obi for president, while saying that his loss at the APC primary was the act of God.
- The Ebonyi State governor Dave Umahi made this claim during an interview at a television program in Lagos.
- Dave Umahi who was one of the over 20 APC presidential aspirants who wanted the presidential ticket.
WHAT WE KNOW
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has said that his failure to emerge as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the presidential primary election was the will of God.
Dave Umahi who was one of the over 20 APC presidential aspirants who wanted the presidential ticket, eventually won by the APC National leader, Bola Tinubu. The APC primaries held on the 7th and 8th of June, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The governor said that he would not disclose some things until the campaign begins on September 28, adding that he swore an oath of allegiance to his party and he would abide by it.
Dave Umahi who spoke on Friday during an interview on Arise TV said, what happened to him at the APC primary election is the will of God.
Surprisingly however, Governor Umahi refused to give a comment on why he is not supporting Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi who is an Igbo man as himself.
The question was made necessary, because the governor had claimed in the past that having a president from the Southeast was the reason he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Umahi further stated that he is not particular about been the first Igbo president of Nigeria. He reiterated his stand that the PDP treated the Southeast badly.
Umahi also affirmed he will be disappointed if the APC treated the Igbos as the PDP did. He regretted that the Igbos missed the APC ticket this time.
Governor Umahi who said he will reveal what happened when the campaign starts on the 28th 9f September, also called for the campaign to be issue based.
NOTABLE QUOTE
Dave Umahi speaking at a television station in Lagos said, “What happened to me at the APC primary election is the will of God. I swore an oath of allegiance to my party in APC and won’t say some things because the campaign has not started,”
“No comment. I have answered your question and I answered you that when campaigns start we will be answering questions like this because as a man who wants to uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I should just do that which is very important.”
“There is no doubt that Igbo missed out so much in APC, but they missed out terribly in PDP.
“I have said this several times; if Igbo would serve APC with the number of years they had served PDP and denied ticket, I will not be happy about that.
“Morally I don’t have any anger in me to say that it must be me (that would emerge the first Igbo president). No. I just did my bit and demonstrated that we have materials.
“And for me, in terms of who becomes the President of Nigeria, I want to suggest that we should talk on issues.”
COMMENTARY
Clariform recalls that Dave Umahi, incumbent governor of Ebonyi State was elected under the platform of the PDP. However, midway into his second tenure, he defected from the PDP to the APC.
His defection was long coming, but he never saw it through until after winning the second term, which from all indications he may not have won if he had defected to the APC before the election.
At the time of his defection, Umahi had accused the PDP of non-committal to the quest for an Igbo presidency, inspite of the massive support the party has enjoyed from the South East.
Umahi was sure the APC would zone the presidency to the South East. However, that was not the case, as the party like his former party, the PDP threw open their presidential ticket, which was eventually won by the former Governor of Lagos State Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall also that Dave Umahi’s defection to the APC, had drawn the anger of many South East PDP supporters who saw his move as a betrayal of trust.
Many people of South East are convinced that the APC in it’s almost eight years in power have treated the Igbos badly, this is where many Igbos disagree with Umahi.
The argument is rightly based on president Buhari infamous 97/5% votes and gains of office. President Buhari since he made that statement has continued to ensure his appointments are lopsided and biased against the South East in particular and the South in general.
With all this developments, it is therefore beyond comprehension that the Ebonyi State governor has refused to support Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party whose candidacy against all odds has continued to gain popularity nationwide.
This attitude of the governor no doubt lends credence to the fact that his leaving the PDP for the APC was never about his commitment to Igbo president, but simply an act of personal political ambition, which he felt was better secured by joining the APC.
However, from the turn of events currently, the APC though a ruling party does not seem to be polling very well ahead of the 2023 elections, in which David Umahi may be standing as APC candidate for the senate in Ebonyi.
