Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, has joined the 2023 presidential race on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Umahi said he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition to contest the presidency.
The governor’s action came barely 24 hours after the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, took similar steps.
Umahi disclosed his latest move to State House Correspondents after a closed-door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
READ ALSO: 2023: A kingmaker can also become a king – Tinubu
When asked what his chances would be against the background that other big political figures had indicated their intentions to run for the same office, including Asiwaju Tinubu, the governor said God would be the decider of the outcome of the race.
Umahi, who spoke to State House correspondents, said he had informed the president of his political ambition during the meeting.
He said: “We discussed politics and the growth of our party, APC, in Nigeria, and South-East. And, of course, you know, the interest of South-East, for the seat of presidency in 2023.
“And, of course, I told Mr. President, that without prejudice to whatever will be the decision of the party, which we shall abide by, that if the party throws the ticket open or zone it to southern part of Nigeria, that I believe that with what I have put in place in the past six years plus, that I’ll be running for presidency, on the platform of APC.
“So, I told him and of course, he believes that whoever wants to run for president of this country must have to consult widely, go to all the leaders and that we must do everything to remove ethnicity and religion in our politics so that this country can grow.”
On the extent of his consultations with stakeholders across the country over his ambition, the governor stated that he would not have done that without first meeting with the president to inform him.
“I wouldn’t have done that without first coming to clear with Mr President that there is this feeling in South-East that have not been president and that people feel that those of our leaders in the various political parties should indicate interest to contest.
“And this is fair, this is important. But at the end of the day, it is God Almighty and the political parties that will also decide.”
On whether he had consulted with the pan Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo, on his ambition and if he had received their blessing, he said:
“Ohanaeze leadership should not play politics. Yes, they can speak for the interest of the South-East, they can speak for fair treatment to South-East as people but as a matter of equity, justice and fairness, and leaving a level playing field for all the political parties and the aspirants.
“They should not dabble into politics on whom to support or whom not to support,” he added.
According to him, the Igbo socio-cultural group as well as other relevant organisations will be informed of his ambition in 2023.
The governor also advocated for what he described as political solution to the raging insecurity in the South-East.
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