2023 Presidency: Count Me Out – Gov Umahi
BY OGBONNA ONYEKACHUKWU – Governor David Umahi has frowned at what he described as dubious political actions to distract him from the onerous task of delivering democracy dividends to the good people of Ebonyi State.
The Governor, who distanced himself from the inauguration of a purported campaign platform known as ‘Southeast for President 2023’, said his government is focused and committed to quality and purposeful leadership in driving sustainable growth and development in the State
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, in Abakiliki said the Governor is “greatly embarrassed by the link to presidential ambition of 2023 being circulated in various social media platforms and wishes to state that he will not be distracted by the various endorsements by groups and individuals who clamour for Nigeria President of Igbo extraction”
Describing the inauguration of the group on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the state capital as an unnecessary distraction, the statement said Governor Umahi and his administration are not involved in any political gathering intent on promoting any purported presidential aspiration for 2023.
According to Uzor, promoters of the Governor’s purported 2023 Presidential ambition do not have his support and should therefore desist from linking him with an activity that is still about four years to come.
“Governor Umahi does not know the promoters of the platform and could not have contracted them to do the job but believes that any genuine and law abiding Nigerians reserve the right to go about their business as long as it doesn’t not impinge on laid down rules of the country:, Uzor said.
The spokesperson, who quoted the governor as dismissing speculations on the so-called presidential ambition as a huge joke, said; “2023 is still very far ahead of us. I am the Governor of Ebonyi State and a second term Governor for that matter by the grace of God. I put all my energy and concentration to serve my people as Governor and deliver on my Campaign promises.”
“I am not looking at where I will be tomorrow. Allow God to determine my next political fate but don’t distract me with Presidential ambition of 2023 now in 2019, its ridiculous”, the statement said
Governor Umahi, while pleading with political jobbers to excuse him from the distractive antics, said; “Let me say again, as a Nigerian and Igbo man and in my capacity as the Chairman of South East Governors Forum, I am not against the idea or agitation for Nigeria President of Igbo extraction but linking me to it at this time is mostly embarrassing, distracting and premature and I beg to be left out of it.”
