No fewer than 26 governorship candidates of various political parties in Ebonyi State have few days to the governorship elections scheduled for March 9, stepped down for Governor David Umahi of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP.
The decampees, who spoke through the former governorship candidate of Advanced Allied Party, AAP, Mr. Okorie Ogbonnaya at the exco-chambers government house, Abakaliki, said they were not coerced by anybody to drop their ambitions.
He said: “It is, therefore, our collective agreement without compulsion to step down for governor David Nwaeze Umahi to complete his eight years term as enshrined in the Ebonyi State charter of equity.
“All senatorial zones completed their second term in office as represented by Sam Egwu (North), Chief Martin Elechi (Central) and so, Chief David Nwaeze Umahi should be allowed to complete his second term.
“This is to allow for continuity and consolidate on the already achieved development of making Ebonyi state the envy of other states in Nigeria.
“Above all, we have decided to collapse our political structures towards the emergence of Governor David Nweze Umahi as the governor, if Ebonyi state come March 9, 2019 governorship election in Ebonyi State.
“We are by this release urging our party supporters and faithful to vote enmass for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and her candidate, Engr. David Nwaeze Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi State.
“We the undersigned governorship candidates of these political parties do hereby resolve that we will not go to court or tribunal as the case maybe to challenge the election of Chief David Nweze Umahi when declared winner of March 9 governorship election.
“We shall fight for justice and stand by the people of the state in the case of obvious planned manipulation of the election by the All Progressives Congress, APC,” he stated.
Meanwhile, another 12 House of Assembly candidates of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and other political parties in the state also defected to the PDP ahead of the next Saturday’s poll.
Responding, Governor Umahi, however, applauded them for their courage to stepdown and support his candidature, but urged them to mount pressure on the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Sen. Sunny Ogborji to do same.
He alleged that some people were planing to import thugs into Ebonyi to disrupt election, but called on security agencies to ensure that there is no breach of law and order in the state, especially during the election.