Nobody is against Peter Obi, says Ebonyi gov

October 16, 2018 9:15 pm

David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, says he is not opposed to the selection of Peter Obi as running mate to Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Umahi said Obi is his friend and is competent enough for the role but he, however, insisted that every part of the south-east should have been consulted.

Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki on Tuesday, the governor said criticisms will not stop him from making his point.

“These people are tackling counsel without knowledge and I pity them because their utterances do not stop us from making our points. Nobody is against Peter Obi because he is my friend, competent and you must have seen our pictures together on the social media,” he said.

“We must take decisions against the marginalisation of Ebonyi people because if we have to vote, we must be treated with equity. Two names of the nominees came from Anambra, two from Abia and one from Enugu but none came from Ebonyi and Imo.

“What is wrong with somebody from Ebonyi and Imo and you must know that one of the reasons an Ebonyi man is against regions in the country, is the fear of further marginalisation.”

The governor said even if someone from Ebonyi is picked, the party owes them an explanation.

“Nobody chooses the vice president for anybody, it is just like a wife issue but if other people were on the list, people from Ebonyi should be there. Even if we would not make the list as the choice is for Abubakar to make, we should know what disqualifies us from being picked,” Umahi said.

“When my chief press secretary (CPS) issued a statement congratulating Obi, the zone’s leaders started calling me, saying that I have made the VP alone.

“I had to issue a counter statement telling them that I was not consulted before the statement was released and that it was an honest mistake from the CPS.

“I cannot endorse Obi alone and am confident that in further decisions, the Igbo man must be consulted. If the position I had was my sin, I cannot repent from it.”