I prayed that my enemy shouldn’t succeed me, says Umahi on Nwifuru’s victory

David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, says he will not influence the administration of Francis Nwifuru, the state’s governor-elect.

Umahi spoke on Monday night during a thanksgiving gathering for the victory of Nwifuru, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi.

Nwifuru polled 199,131 votes to defeat Ifeanyi Odi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who secured 80,191 votes.

The outgoing governor, who was successful in his bid to cross over to the senate, said the APC performed “marvellously” well in the south-east.

“You know how governors are currently struggling to be re-elected, enthrone successors and to be elected senators,” NAN quoted Umahi as saying.

“We are three governors in the south east for instance who sought to enthrone successors but only one (me) succeeded.

“Only two governors were elected into the senate and despite all apprehensions, the APC performed marvellously in the south east zone.

“At this time on May 29, I will bow to him and say: ‘my boss I salute you’. He is my son and if he finds anything difficult, he will consult me and I will be there for him.

“When Nwifuru was nominated, I prayed to God that I don’t want my enemy to succeed me but him.”

On his part, the governor-elect said he would work towards fulfilling his campaign promises.

“I promise to fulfil my campaign promises and urge my fellow contestants to join me in making Ebonyi, the envy of other states of the federation,” he said.

Nwifuru is currently the speaker of the Ebonyi state house of assembly.