The defection of Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling political party in his home State to All Progressives Congress (APC), holding sway at the federal level has recorded commendations and condemnations.

While some observers see the move as a bold step some others say it is driven by self-interest of the Governor to gain endorsement of the powers that be at the centre for him to fly the flag of the APC in 2023 as their presidential candidate.

Umahi has nonetheless, has repeatedly said that he was offering himself as a sacrificial lamb in the interest of his people, the South East ,maintaining that the move is for the South East geo-political to be given the chance to produce the next President of Nigeria having been denied the slot by the PDP since1999. But to a number of people, he is only being ‘political’.

The signs of this defection had long been on. Umahi’s romance with President Muhammadu Buhari right from the days of erstwhile SGF, Babachir Lawal fanned the suspicion that Umahi might one day jump the boat.

Just recently, Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru invited journalists to his Lodge. All members of the 24-member House, all of them, members of PDP were in attendance but for the Deputy Speaker Obasi Odefa who was said to have then traveled out of the county. . The Speaker read a text, being resolution of the members. They gave the PDP seven days ultimatum to convoke meeting of their national executives and zone the 2023 presidential ticket to South East or risk dire consequences.

At that point it became clear that the time was becoming rife for the anticipated change in the political climate of Ebonyi State.

True to the speculations, Umahi of was on Thursday last week formally admitted into the APC.

Straight from the venue of the event, Umahi was led to Aso Rock by the National leadership of the APC where they met with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The APC Acting National Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni at the event of admission of Umahi into the APC in Abakaliki explained that what distinguishes leaders and rulers is fairness without undue considerations,

“We are happy to receive you, Governor Umahi. You have performed well. Your entrance is timely. We are rebuilding the part. National leadership of APC has dissolved the leadership of the party in Ebonyi. You are now the leader of APC in Ebonyi state. We trust you and know you will accommodate all”.

The ceremony which took place at the Ecumenical Center Abakaliki, the State capital had in attendance the Attorney General of the Federation, and Minister for Justice Abubakar Malami, Governors of Kebbi Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Jigawa Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Yobe Mai Mala Buni, Niger state Abubakar Sani Bello and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, minister of Humanitarian Affairs Sadiya Umar Farouk.

Elated Governor Umahi while receiving the flag of the Party explained that his journey to the APC is for the interests of Ndigbo, Nigeria and urged people of the South East to launch into the political main stream which lies in APC

“We have waited for too long for our own lifting in PDP. I have sacrificed myself, for the interest of South East and Ebonyi state in particular, I sacrifice myself. We have dwelt so much in one political party and its time to move to the centre. We are so grateful to God who directs our affairs, we thank Mr. President so highly who has helped us to develop this state, we are grateful to him. The help of Mr. President has transformed our State, Ebonyi”

He stated, “This is the will of God, you cannot truncate the will of God. Today, I can boldly say that this marriage of PDP and APC consumed by APC National party that our State is 99.9% APC. The .001% is the room I have left for my National Assembly members. Do not castigate them, they are looking for something and when they get it, they will come back. Don’t castigate them, they are my children and I love them so much”.

“This new house is built on trust, that is built on justice, that is built on equity and fairness, this new house that is built on love is going to accommodate all of us. Together we are stronger, the bigger the better. Let us together approach the throne of God with boldness, we will not remember yesterday. There is no victor, there is no vanquish in this marriage. it is a marriage that is consummated by God and therefore no bitterness. We as PDP people, we forgive everyone in APC and we have drawn assurance that everyone in APC has forgiven PDP. I have dissolved the Elders Council to accommodate our brothers and sisters that are coming from APC and this is very important to note”.

“South East, know today, South East will all move to APC. We have to launch out to the centre, we are tired of empty promises, we want action now. I therefore today as my Deputy Governor has said, we have moved into APC, the Governor united with his Deputy in one together with 110 exco members with 1200 appointees of of Executive Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants and Technical Assistants. We have 374 liaison officers; we are together in these movements. We have 400 appointees of boards and commissions, we have 560 management committee members, we have 130 supervisors, we have all the 13 local government chairmen and all the vice chairmen and all the legislators everywhere in Ebonyi state. We are all together in this movement”.

” Above all, we have 3 million Ebonyians that have embraced this party that is developing our state, 3million Ebonyians together in this journey to APC.

Let me tell you something, let your heart not fail you, no man has your destiny. When mere men tell me that I will regret this movement, I have examined myself and I have consulted God. There is a saying that says that if serving God, there is no heaven, that the peace of righteousness on earth is enough reward. The reward of freedom; freedom from dictatorship, freedom from one or two people deciding the affairs of men is gone. We are free at last and we have moved into blessings”.

The development has thrown up varied reactions. Even before consumption of the defection National Assembly members from Ebonyi had disassociated themselves from the Governor’s moves. The lawmakers are Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu, Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator Mike Ama Nnachi, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga, Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku, Hon. Edwin Anayo and Hon. Livinus Makwe.

On the other hand, members of the State executive Council of the State have declared to follow Umahi to the APC. Former Chairman of the APC in Ebonyi Chief Eze Nwachukwu said he was comfortable with the developments, noted that they need to have the party stronger in the State.

P r e s i d e n t – G e n e r a l , Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo explained that the defection of Umahi to the APC was an act of exercising his fundamental right as a politician.

Former Speaker old Enugu House of Assembly, Senator Anthony Uduma Agbo said the defection of Umahi will generate the needed pressure to integrate South East geo political zone in Nigeria’s politics.

Agbo, Member of the National Assembly who represented Ebonyi North Senatorial zone in the senate from 2007 to 2011 explained the South East zone needs to be in the main stream of the politics as to negotiate their deserved chances.

The former two-time Commissioner in Ebonyi state said the Umahi’s defection to the APC will finally integrate the Igbos into the mainstream of national politics.

“Umahi showed unquantifiable degree of statesmanship by agreeing to our counsel to join the APC without proving to be a Governor who knows it all. , (Daily Independent)

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