The Ebonyi State governor, Engr. David Umahi, on Sunday, accused the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor, of playing politics with the clamour for Igbo Presidency in 2022.
Governor Umahi alleged that Prof. Obiozor, who ought to have been a rallying point for Igbos, rather took the path of politics against the interest of Ndigbo.
The governor spoke while addressing Ebonyi people, who received him in Abakaliki, the State capital on arrival after the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election.
The governor, who was a presidential aspirant on the platform of APC, added that he was dismayed with the attitude of political actors from South-East zone for not justifying the agitations against the marginalisation of Ndigbo.
“Prof. Obiozor could not stand for Igbo when it mattered so much, it is a very big shame, I have no confidence in him and he is no longer my President. In the comity of South-East, Ebonyi people are not regarded, I continue to say that Ebonyi will never be Biafra.
“I weep for our leaders, we are now regarded as people that will sell anything for the sake of money, it is about equity, justice, and fairness upon which I continue to shout for the unity of this country,” Umahi said.
He commended the delegates from Ebonyi State for their loyalty and commitment towards the struggle for Igbo Presidency and liberation of Ndigbo from the stronghold of marginalisation.
“First, let me say to Ebonyi people, you are wonderful people, the presidential primary was a great eye-opener to every son and daughter of Ebonyi State and with your support, we fought very gallantly.
“I had a series of meetings with the party’s chairmen in the five states of the zone in the company of its national vice chairman. I implored on the delegates that the issue was not about me but the mood of the Igbos in the nation.
“I implored that they should vote for any South-East aspirant so that when the votes are counted, we would not be missing. We would have made a strong statement in the process that the Igbos are eminently qualified with due capacity to lead the country.
“There was no sort of lobbying I did not receive but I maintained that it was about bringing the marginalisation of the Igbos to the fore.
“The setting of the nation is well skewed against any contest for Igbo man, while every zone has about eight States or more and South-East has only five. How do you expect an Igbo man to win a contest under this kind of arrangement?” the governor queried.
Governor Umahi further expressed regrets at the conduct of delegates from other South-East states who sold their votes to willing buyers, instead of standing in defence of the call for the Igbo Presidency.
“I am the governor of Ebonyi State, the only agenda I have for South-East now is Ebonyi Agenda, I continue to say that he who sells his brother, even the buyer will not trust him.
“Anyone that fight against the interest of Ebonyi people in the South-East, I will fight the person publicly. Ndigbo get your PVC and bond together, you have seen that nobody wants you anymore, we have the fighting spirit and the spirit of our founding fathers have been rekindled to fight for us.
“When honourable people are needed in South-East, they will come to Ebonyi State, everything is not money,” Umahi added.
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