The new caretaker committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, has described the defection of Engr. Dave Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as a “blessing” to the party.
The Chairman of the Caretaker committee, Ali Odefa made the statement after a familiarization meeting between the new leadership of the party in the zone and the stakeholders at Lion Building, Enugu State Government House on Sunday, 6th December, 2020.
Mr. Odefa said Umahi has never being in the party with his body and soul as his heart has always been elsewhere. He also said that the PDP in the South East is very strong and the defection of Umahi won’t affect them in any way.
“The party in the zone is very strong and I can assure you that the south east is and will always be PDP irrespective of the challenges we are facing and in a matter of time, we will surmount all these challenges.
“The PDP had four Governors after the 2019 elections. We were robbed of one by the Supreme Court and one ran away to the APC. Despite all these, the people that voted for these Governors are still in the PDP and by the end of the day, the PDP will still win and have more number of Governors in the zone.
“The exit of the Governor will in no way, affect the fortunes of the party, either in his home state or in the zone. As a matter of fact, his exit is a blessing to the party. Now we know how many we are and the best way to approach the elections.”
On 2023 presidency, Odefe said; “We want a president of Nigeria from Igboland because that will give Igbos a sense of belonging but we won’t descend to the level of blackmailing the party unduly and unnecessarily,” he concluded.
