Just 24 hours after the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu, announced his intention to run in the presidential election, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi also joined the race.
Governor Umahi spoke to journalists on Tuesday after meeting with President Muhammad Buhari behind closed doors at the Abuja Presidential Village.
Leaving the president’s office, Umahi confirmed that he discussed the issue with the president, who told him to go and seek the support of the people.
Umahi said he would not be overwhelmed by Tinubu’s entry into the race because he believed the competition is not about power but will be won by whoever God supports.
“The Bible that I swore with a section in 1 Samuel says that by force no man will prevail, and power and strength belong to God,” Umahi said.
“I’m not in a competition with anyone, I’m in a competition with myself.”
The governor of Ebonyi, who left the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, had argued that the former governor was not ready to hand over the 2023 ballot to the Southeast.
Answering questions, he revealed that he has a better chance if the APC opens the ticket.
“Of course, you know, the interest of the southeast, for the seat of the presidency in 2023. And, of course, I told the president, that regardless of what it is, it will be the party’s decision, which we will abide by. , that if the party launches the open or zoned ticket for the southern part of Nigeria, I think that with what I have implemented in the last six more years, I will run for the presidency, on the APC platform.
“So I told him and of course, he believes that whoever wants to run for president of this country should have to consult widely, go to all the leaders and that we must do everything possible to eliminate ethnicity and religion in our politics. So that this country can grow. ”
Umahi said that if he gets the party’s backing, his presidency will replicate his achievement in Ebonyi state nationally, and said he has a lot to show for running governance as a business.
On whether he has let Ohaneze Ndigbo know of his intention to run, Governor Umahi said: “Ohaneze’s leadership should not play politics. Yes, you can speak for the interest of the Southeast, you can speak for a fair treatment of the Southeast as a people, as a matter of fairness, justice and equity, and leaving a level playing field for all political parties and aspirants.
“They shouldn’t get into politics or who to support or who not to support. I think they listen to it the same way that those of the aspirants to other political parties heard. We will also write to them to let them know that yes, they have capable sons and daughters who, God willing, could do this job ”.