*urges stakeholders to embrace zoning, power rotation to north
By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has reiterated his unalloyed support to ensure power rotation to Ebonyi North senatorial zone, saying that he won’t support a candidate who jumped out from no where to contest for the governorship position of the state, most especially, the candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), because it is not the turn of the South to produce the next governor come 2023.
He also debunked the insinuations in some quarters alleging that he is behind the activities of PDP guber candidate, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.
The governor, who is the Ebonyi South senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said such insinuations are far from the truth, stating that he would have preferred to support Obinna Ogba, who is from a different zone than AnyiChuks, if he must choose among them.
Umahi spoke in his Uburu, Ohaozara home on Wednesday, while receiving members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi Elders Council and other visitors who paid him Christmas homage.
Umahi said, “”Those who say that AnyiChuks is a tool in our hands are wrong.
“If they know the attack I face every day, they won’t say that.
“If I were to support, I would prefer Obinna Ogba who came from a tiny constituency, not a man who jumped out from no where and throwing his money around,” he said.
The governor further enjoined the stakeholders of Ebonyi South to resist the temptation of supporting any governorship contestant from the zone, stressing that it is the turn of Ebonyi North to produce the next governor.
While throwing his support for the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, and the APC guber candidate, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Umahi admonished CAN, elders, founding fathers and all stakeholders to support zoning and power rotation, for sustained peace in the state
“When we were contesting in 2015, the North and Central supported us; their leaders stood with us.
“The issue of zoning, the issue of power rotation is so we can have peace in the state.
“So, we will disgrace with our votes, anybody from the South coming out to contest for governor come 2023.” He declared.
Speaking, the Southeast CAN chairman, Reverend Father Abraham Nwali said they came in the spirit of Christmas to felicitate the governor and pray with him for continued peace, welfare and development of the state.
Other stakeholders who spoke, including, the Chairman Ohaozara Local Government Area, Hon Chinonso Ajah, Chairman Afikpo North LGA, Hon Uche Ibiam, among others, assured the governor of their support to him and other APC candidates.
The governor during the event, also hosted the board and management of David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo.
