By Oginyi Ruth
The governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi has described as embarrassing the setting up campaign platform by some ‘unknown’ groups, seeking him to contest the 2023 president election.
Umahi, who distanced himself from the groups and subsequent inauguration of a campaign platform by a group, stated that it was premature for anyone to drag him into race he had not contemplated of contesting.
The governor, who spoke in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Tuesday, said those behind the groups did not consult him or have his blessing for such campaign.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Emmanuel Uzor , Governor Umahi described the move as a tactics to distract his second tenure administration in the state.
Umahi, in the statement, stressed that was presently preoccupied and committed to delivering quality and purposeful leadership to the people of Ebonyi State rather than being dragged into politics that was still very far.
He warned promoters of the 2023 Presidential ambition to stop with immediate effect further attempt to drag him into ‘miscalculated’ politics in 2019.
According to him, “The Governor was greatly embarrassed being linked to the 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”
“Governor 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.
“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, it’s ridiculous.
“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.”
