The Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 general election, Peter Obi, has said the blessing of the leaders of the South East was necessary for the success of his mission.
Obi maintained that there was never a time the South East leaders were in disagreement over his nomination as the running mate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, praising the political ingenuity of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State as the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, which, according to him, earned the Igbos the nomination.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Umahi on Monday at the Government House, Abakaliki, the former Anambra State Governor assured that his nomination was not personal to him but for the good of the entire South East.
He described as a media hoax the perceived initial disagreement of his nomination.
Obi stressed that he was in the State to seek the blessing of Governor Umahi and his brother Governors in the zone, adding that the Atiku/Obi ticket will not be successful without the blessings of the South East under Umahi.
While commending the South East Governor’s leader for his invaluable contributions which enabled the PDP achieve a “first class” primary election, the Vice Presidential aspirant noted that the PDP Governors rank the best in the country.
Obi, who further decried the deterioration in Nigeria’s leadership under President Mohammadu Buhari, expressed the eagerness of the PDP to bounce back to power in order to rebuild the country.
He pledged continued loyalty to the leadership and ideals of the zone and urged the entire South East to remain loyal to both Umahi and other leaders of the zone.
Obi noted: “And it was your leadership that made it possible.
“As the chairman of the zone, it is you singularly working with your brother Governors and all PDP members that will make that nomination worthwhile.
“I have severally maintained that there was never a time that the leaders of this zone disagreed with the nomination.
“They disagreed with the process.
“That they have right to do and that they humbly requested for a meeting with the candidate.
“But of course, we now live in an era where social media controls every sort of news.
“So let me once again say to those of us who are here, the media and others that our leaders in the zone remain the best you can think of this country.
“PDP leaders in this zone, starting from Ebonyi, are the best.
“I am familiar with Abakaliki and I can categorically say that Governor Umahi has done a lot for this State and for this zone.”
In his remarks, Governor Umahi reaffirmed that there was never any controversy over Obi’s nomination by the South East, adding that the leaders only protested the method whereby they were sidelined in the process.
He described Obi as the toast of the zone based on his previous performances in leadership positions and assured him of the total support of all and sundry in line with the Igbo’s belief in being his brother’s keeper.
He further assured that Ebonyi State was working at delivering at least 1.3 million votes to the PDP out of its estimated 1.5 million registered voters.
Umahi, however, lamented the gross marginalization of Ndigbo in general and Ebonyi State in particular in the scheme of things in the country, emphasising that he remains unrepentant in fighting for the right of the Igbos.
Umahi added that most social media reports were manifestations of frustration resulting from many years of socio-political deprivations of the South East.
He expressed joy on the action of the Vice President designate, noting that his actions and statements have brought further synergy to the party.
The South-east Governor’s Forum Chairman insisted that the presidential flagbearer should as a matter of importance still meet with the leaders of the zone for further discussion on the way forward.
Umahi said: “We will give you support but we must sit with our presidential candidate to discuss.
“What is in it for the South East?
“What is in it for Ebonyi State?”
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