Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Monday defended his visit to State House, Abuja, to inform President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election. Governor Umahi explained that his presence at the State House was not mainly to notify President Buhari of his presidential ambition but to deliberate on security and socio-economic situations in the southeast.
Governor Umahi disclosed that he deliberated on the insecurity in the Southeast, the airport project, noting that he went to notify the President that the airport project will be ready in May 2022, and that the zone needed financial support to purchase some equipment. He said that the presidential ambition was the last issue he discussed with the president.
According to Governor Umahi: “The issue wasn’t just about going to the President to ask him that I want to contest. There were so many other issues I went to discuss with Mr. President.
“I went there to discuss solutions to our insecurity in the Southeast, and on our airport project. I went there to let him know that our airport project will be ready by May 2022 but we needed financial assistance to buy some equipment.
“It was the last thing I mentioned to him.
“The issue of running was by the side, and I mentioned it to him as the father of the nation and father of our political party.”
Governor Umahi welcomed the defection of more governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He emphasized that the defection of more governors to the APC improves the chances of the ruling party winning the elections in 2023.