Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the political party to beat in spite of the challenges facing it.

He stated this at the Government College, Afikpo, during a grand reception organised in his honour by the Old Afikpo Union (OAU) on Saturday.

Governor Umahi, who advised PDP members in the country not to lose faith in the party, said their leaders remain committed to repositioning the once biggest political umbrella in Africa.

He also used the occasion to once again denounce the belief that his open support for President Muhammadu Buhari signposted his desire to join ruling the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His words: “Let me ask all PDP people not to shake at all. PDP remains the only party in Nigeria; PDP remains our party; PDP remains the party to beat.

“So, my relationship with the President should not be mistaken for support for another party. And I will continue to support Mr President because he is my only boss.

“We know what we are passing through as governors and I want to tell you that Mr President is doing his best to reposition this country. What we are witnessing is global economic meltdown; it is not peculiar to Nigeria and so, I ask Nigerians to join hands with Mr. President so that we can lift up this nation.

“The fate of our nation is in our hands and I believe strongly that if we prefer Nigeria made goods and if we sit with one another, Nigeria is going to be great again.”

Governor Umahi thanked President Buhari for doing so much for Ebonyi State and urged the people to remain grateful and supportive to him.

“I want to thank Mr President; he has done quite a number of things for Ebonyi people and I don’t want to mention it here so that other states will not start envying us but before my people, I say, we are grateful to Mr President for his grace and support to our state,” Umahi said.

He lauded the President for granting the state’s request to reconstruct and put a toll gate on the Abakaliki/Afikpo Road, saying: “This is the first of its kind in the whole Nigeria. No other governor across the federation has gotten this favour from Mr President.”

Umahi thanked the Old Afikpo Union for also honouring the people of Ekumenyi from Abakaliki block who stood for equity, fairness and justice during the battle that saw him emerging as the PDP governorship from Ebonyi South.

He vowed to remain committed to the vision and mission of the founding fathers of Ebonyi State by ensuring equity, unity peace and progress of the state.

Promising to make Abakaliki one of the best capital cities in the country, Umahi also paid glowing tributes to the PDP leadership in the state headed by Onwe Joseph Onwe for not betraying his political ambition.

The governor, who was conferred with chieftaincy title of Dikedioranma 1 of Ebonyi South, promised to give adequate attention to the construction of all roads in the state, especially in the state capital.

•Photo shows Governor Umahi.

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