...As 2 guber candidates, ex-senatorial aspirant, over 5,000 PDP members join APC
Following the forthcoming general elections, Governor David Umahi has declared Ebonyi citizens as all the adherents of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu and other contenders under the party umbrella both at the state and national levels.
The governor proclaimed this at the flag off of the APC presidential/governorship campaign at Pa Ngele Oruta Township in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
Umahi expressed optimism about the victory of the APC candidates in all elective positions come 2023 polls, insisting that the Ebonyi people have no option more than voting massively for Tinubu and other APC contenders in the state.
He said: "We (Ebonyians) are obedient to the APC, we are obedient to Tinubu."
He commended the contributions of Tinubu in building humanity, both in the public and private sectors especially when he served as the governor of Lagos State.
He declared that the Ebonyi people have a great passion for one Nigeria, and maintained his administration would not be a party to religious or tribal politics.
He said his proposed successor, Francis Nwifuru, the state governorship candidate would work with Tinubu, and expressed confidence that with the personality of Tinubu as Nigerian President in 2023, Ebonyi's developmental strides will be greater.
Responding, the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu described Umahi as an accomplished leader, as he commended his infrastructural development in the state.
He said Umahi's infrastructure developmental gaits in Ebonyi marvelled him while touring some parts of the state to commission his projects. He noted that with the calibre of the gubernatorial candidate of the state, Francis Nwifuru, the Ebonyi people have nothing to regret, and assured them of more transformational projects if emerged president in 2023.
He pledged a total improvement in the educational sector, massive employment, infrastructural development, serene environment, among others.
The event was attended by the Tinubu's running mate and the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullah Adamu represented the Deputy National Chairman of the South, Emma Enukwu, with the Governor of Borno state, Babagana Umara Zulum, his counterparts of Imo State - Hope Uzodimma, and that of Cross Rivers State, Ben Ayade.
Also present in the rally, were Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebi and Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, among other APC stalwarts from outside and within the state, who expressed optimism about the victory of Tinubu in 2023, while urging massive support for the party candidates in the state.
Highlight of the event was an official declaration of defection by the Ebonyi gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Ikechukwu Nwankwo, and that of the Action Democratic Congress, ADC, Bernard Nwonumara.
Other defectors during the rally were the former Ebonyi Central Senatorial Aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, with his alleged over 5,000 supporters and the former Legislative Aide of the Senator Obinna Ogba representing Ebonyi Central zone in the National Assembly, Victor Eze.
Recall that the state governorship standard bearer, Francis Nwifuru after giving his party flag by the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullah Adamu, promised to embark on aggressive rural development, pay special attention to the education sector, and human empowerment, among others if emerged victorious in the 2023 polls.
