The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, stated on Monday that he is not opposed to the South-East voting for the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Umahi made the announcement at the Ebonyi international airport in Onueke, while speaking to stakeholders and residents of Ezza, the clan in which the airport is located.
The Ebonyi State Governor also stated that he was not against Obi’s voting record during the presidential election.
He said;
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not angry or condemning Obi’s feat as the southeast has made a strong statement with it.
One, however, digs with two arrowed woods so that when one fails to stick on the target, the other wood will stick to it.
He said that it is important for any tribe to reserve a slot for negotiation after the internal sharing to make assurance double.
Umahi added;
Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra harped on this fact and was crucified but his words have come to pass.
The wise thing for the Igbos to do is to tell themselves the truth that we alone cannot make ourselves president.
We have to work with other tribes as the southwest did with the north and have succeeded.
We have to stop being parochial and clannish as who could have believed that Obi was talking with me up till the last minute.
He was also talking with other governors even those from the north.
He charged the people of Ezza people to be strategic in their political evaluations to be relevant in the political equation of the state.
Umahi said;
Oath was said to be taken on anyone who votes against the gubernatorial candidate from the clan and if this is so, how will other clans vote for you.
Majority of the stakeholders here are supporting power shift to the Izzi clan of the northern senatorial district and this will sustain the existing charter of equity and fairness.
I am not telling you not to vote for your son but I want people to be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice.
The Chairman of Ezza North Local Government Area, Moses Nome, commended Umahi for addressing the people, noting that they would continue supporting his policies and programs.
He said;
We have intensified efforts to ensure that all those who perpetrate violence in the clan are brought to book to allow people to freely exercise their franchise.