By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday argued that imminent defection of the Stat Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, to the party would boost the South-East agitation for 2023 Presidency.

The party made this known in a communique issued at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abakaliki.

The communique was signed and read by Mr Chaka Nweze, a former council chairman of Ohaozara Local government area of the state.

The governor, was elected on the platform of People's Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 and re-elected for another tenure in 2019 on the same party..

There have been rumours about his plans to leave the PDP and join the APC, which he in different junctions denied.

The party, at the meeting on Sunday, said it is prepared to welcome and work with the governor adding that the governor has performed exceedingly well and deserves all the support he can get.

The party also said the governor's imminent decampment to the APC will boost the South-East’s chances of producing the next president of the country in 2023.

They also charged the governor to impress on other governors in the region to join the party so as to enable the region take its deserved place in the scheme of things in national politics.

Addressing party members at the meeting, the former Senate Committee Chairman on Works Senator Julius Ali Ucha, said the party in the South East had made a big catch in the person of Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi.

Ucha, who represented Ebonyi Central Senatorial zone between 2003-2011, added that the Governor will soon make public his defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the opposition APC.

He noted that the Governor has done well in the state that he has become one of the best governors in the country.

The party noted that they were ready to welcome the Governor to the party and also ensure that the party produces the next Governor of the state in 2023.

Speaking also, the former Senator who represented Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, Chief Anthony Agbo,commended Governor Umahi, for taking the decision to join the APC, describing the move as decisive.

Senator Agbo urged members of the party in the state not to panic over the governor's defection to the party, assuring them that his coming into the party will bring great fortunes to all members of the party.

He explained that Governor Umahi would team up with the Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to reposition the party in the South East.

The party also stated that they were committed to what they called South East Mandate, which advocates the right of the South East zone to produce the next president of Nigeria in 2023.

The meeting was attended by members of the party across the three senatorial zones of the state.

“We need to really wait till we get to the bridge before we cross. We don’t have to jump the gun. I think it is premature to begin to discuss the issue,” he said.

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