Politicking for 2023 general elections has begun at full throttle. Barely 24 hours after National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu, announced his intention to contest the presidential election, governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has also joined the race, as he, yesterday, declared his decision to vie for the number one seat.
Umahi disclosed this to newsmen after he met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Emerging from the President’s office, Umahi said he discussed the issue with President Buhari, who told him to go and seek the support of the people.
On his chances, he said he would not be weighed down by Tinubu’s entry into the race because he believes that the contest is not about might but will be decided by who God endorses.
“The Bible that I swore with in 1 Samuel says that by strength shall no man prevail, and power and might belongs to God. He chooses whomever he wills and he will do that in 2023. I’m not in contest with anybody, I’m in contest with myself,” he said.
Recall that Umahi, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC, had argued that the opposition party was not ready to cede the 2023 ticket to the Southeast. When asked on his chances in the APC, he said he stands a better chance if the APC throws the ticket open.
Asked whether he has the backing of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Umahi said: “Ohaneze leadership should not play politics. Yes, they can speak for the interest of the Southeast, they can speak for fair treatment to Southeast people, but they should not dabble into politics or whom to support and whom not to support.”
On the prevailing insecurity in the Southeast, Umahi, who is also Chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum, proffered what he called “political solution” to the development, adding that this solution should not interfere with the judicial process.
“I support a political solution to our insecurity problems in the Southeast. And of course, I mentioned it to Mr. President. Political solution does not terminate the judicial process. Also, don’t forget that there’s always what is called out-of-court settlement. It is for our people, and, our brother Nnandi Kanu, to be willing to truly engage so that we can find true peace in our region.”