Peter Obi pledges loyalty to Gov Umahi, Igbo leader

THE Peoples Democratic Party Vice Presidential candidate for 2019 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has pledged continued loyalty to the leadership and ideals of the South East zone and urged the Ndigbo to remain loyal to both Umahi and other leaders of the zone.

Peter Obi praised Governor David Umahi the chairman South East governors forum on his political ingenuity, which earned the Igbos the VP nomination.

He made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, at the state government house Abakaliki, yesterday to solicit for his support according to him, Atiku/ Obi ticket will never be successful without the blessings of the south-east region under Umahi. He described the media hoax which initially greeted his nomination as a misrepresentation of facts.

Peter Obi has said that the blessing of the leaders of South-East was necessary for the success of his mission, and there was never a time the South-eastern leaders were in disagreement over his nomination as Atiku’s running mate. He assured that his nomination was not personal to him but for the good of the entire South-East.

Commending Governor Umahi for invaluable contributions which enabled the PDP to achieve a “first class” Primary election, the Vice Presidential aspirant said, the PDP Governors rank the best in the country.

Peter Obi expressed eagerness of the PDP to bounce back to power in order to rebuild the country the present Buhari government has put into deterioration.

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Peter Obi said: “And it was your leadership that made it possible, I am sure even for the candidate to start thinking of South-East support and possibly pick somebody from the South-East.

“So I needed to come home and be able to assure people like you that that nomination is not personal to me.

“It is for the South-East and cannot be successful without the blessing of your kind person as the chairman of the zone.

“As the chairman of the zone, it is you singularly, working with your brother, Governors and all PDP members that will make that nomination worthwhile.

“I have severally maintained that there was never a time that the leaders of this zone disagree with the nomination.

“They disagree with the process.

“That they have right to do and they humbly asked for a meeting with the candidate.

“But of course, we now live in an era where Social media control every sort of news.

“So let me once again say to those of us who are here, the media and others that our leaders in the zone remain the best you can think of in this country.

“PDP leaders in this zone, starting from Ebonyi are the best.

“I am familiar with Abakaliki and I can categorically say that Governor Umahi has done a lot for this State and for this zone.”

In his remarks, Governor Umahi described Peter Obi as the toast of the zone based on his previous performances in leadership positions and assured him of the total support of all and sundries in line with the Igbo’s belief in being his brother’s keeper.

He further assured him of Ebonyi State 1.3million votes come 2019.

Umahi reaffirmed that there was never any controversy over Obi’s nomination by the South-East, adding that the leaders only protested the method whereby they were sidelined in the process.

He, however, lamented the gross marginalization of Ndigbo in general and Ebonyi State in particular in the scheme of things in the country and emphasized that he remains unrepentant in fighting for the right of the Igbos.

Umahi added that most social media reports were manifestations of frustration resulting from many years of socio-political deprivations of the South-East.

He expressed joy on the action of the Vice Presidential designate noting that his actions and statements have brought further synergy to the Party.

The South-East Governor’s Forum Chairman insisted that the Presidential flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar should as a matter of importance, still meet with the leaders of the zone for further discussion on the way forward.

Umahi said: “We will give you support but we must sit with our presidential candidate to discuss.

“What is in it for the South-East, what is in it for Ebonyi State.

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