Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has faulted the claims that he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to achieve his ambition of becoming the president in 2023.

He told reporters on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital that the insinuation that he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) with such an intention is a figment of their imagination.

Governor Umahi instead disclosed that he would quit politics by the end of his second term in office in the next three years.

He said:

”People can write all that they want to write, it is not my business. In 2023, if God permits, I will be quitting politics and I will be very satisfied because the miracles in Ebonyi State may just be the reason I was born in the first place.”“

If people are shouting in this country about fairness, equity, and justice, and I stand in a place where such is not practice, then I have to re-examine my head.“

Let it be known that I am God’s project and I don’t go beyond the limit of my calling. I am satisfied being a governor and by His grace, for eight years.”

At the briefing, the governor confirmed that he has moved to the ruling party, bringing an end to the speculations about his defection.

He explained that leaving the PDP was in protest of the alleged injustice by the opposition party against the South East zone.

Governor Umahi told reporters that he was happy that he took the decision to leave the PDP and would have no regret in such regard.

He believes his defection will expose the opposition party to its mistakes and make corrections where necessary.

“I refuse to be called a politician because if politics is all about lying, cheating, and backstabbing, that is not my family character.

“So, I protest and nothing will stop me from this protest and I believe that this movement will cause PDP to understand that no man is an island and no single person can be called a crowd,” the governor stated

Mr. Umahi’s defection ends weeks of speculation to move to the ruling party.

Umahi contested for the office of the governor in Ebonyi State in 2015, on the platform of the PDP and won.

Upon concluding his first term, the governor won the bid to extend his stay in office in the 2019 general elections, again as the PDP candidate.

A file photo of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi.

In 2007, Umahi led the PDP in Ebonyi in acting capacity, and later served as the party chairman between 2009 to 2011.

Later that year, he emerged as the running mate to former Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, and became the deputy governor after they won the election.

While Elechi’s tenure neared conclusion, the former governor supported a former Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, to succeed him – a move which was rejected by Umahi.

Umahi, who accused Elechi of violating an understanding that he would succeed him, later faced Chukwu and others in the PDP primary.

He clinched the PDP’s governorship ticket while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the 2015 election after meeting the requirements to hold the position.

Control TV