Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Femi Adesina , Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari says Ebonyi State Governor , Dave Umahi, can contest for president in the 2023 elections .
He said though the ruling All Progressives Congress has not come out with its zoning formula, Umahi has the right to aspire for any position in government “ as long as he can muster the needed support and momentum for victory” .
Adesina in a piece on Friday titled, ‘ Dave Umahi’ s Heart of Lion’ , praised the Ebonyi State governor for having the courage to dump the opposition Peoples Democratic Party for the APC.
He said Umahi had been a believer in the Buhari presidency even while he was in the opposition party.
The president ’ s spokesman wrote, “ Umahi had always loved and respected President Muhammadu Buhari , and never hid it, though they were of different political parties . And the President reciprocated in like manner . In fact , the first State the President ever visited in the country and passed the night, was Ebonyi . Umahi was PDP in the exterior , but APC at heart.
“ My first inkling of what was on the way was about two years ago . There was a meeting of Progressive Governors ( as those elected on the platform of APC are called) , and Gov Umahi had sent his deputy to attend . A PDP man among APC Governors? Something was definitely cooking.
“ Now , the deed has been done . Gov Umahi has done what Napoleon couldn’ t do. He has officially crossed from the PDP to APC. Only a man with the heart of a lion could do that . ”
Recall that the APC National Executive Committee on Tuesday approved waivers for Umahi and others who just joined the party to contest elective positions on the party’ s platform without waiting for a particular number of years .
Umahi, who defected last month from the PDP to the APC , had complained of marginalisation of the South -East zone by the PDP as one of his reasons for leaving the party. He had also noted that he believed the APC would protect the interest of the South – East zone in the 2023 presidential election .
Adesina corroborated Umahi’ s claims , saying the South – East must play better politics to get the ultimate office in the country.
The president ’ s spokesman further wrote , “ Umahi has displayed a courage of conviction. He said the South East has been let down by the PDP in the last 21 years, so it was time to switch camp . It takes the heart of a lion to change course in such setting . Some people said it was because he wanted to run for President in 2023. And why not? The party has not come out with its zoning formula , but in a democracy, anyone can aspire for any position , as long as he can muster the needed support and momentum for victory.
“ I ’ ve always said it . The South -East must play better politics to get the ultimate office in the country. Sleeping and facing the same direction may not be the best option. The Orji Kalus , Hope Uzodimmas , Chris Ngiges, Dave Umahis, and many others , are now shining the light , so that their people can find the way. And so let it be. ”
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