Umahi Wants To Be President - Wike Speaks On Why Ebonyi Governor Dumped Party

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has insisted that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of his presidential ambitions in 2023.

Wike who reacted to the defection of Umahi said that PDP was surprised at the development.

Further stating that he was angered by Umahi's move to attempt to justify his decision with claims of injustice meted on the South Eastern region by the PDP.

READ ALSO: Umahi Officially Dump PDP For APC, Clarifies Reasons For His Defection

According to Wike via a statement by Kelvin Ebiri, his Special Assistant (Media) on Tuesday, Umahi was being unfair to the party that helped him into office in 2015 and 2019.

Pointing out that the party had produced Senate President and other notable public office holders, Wike asked the Ebonyi governor to retract claims that the party had been unfair to the South Eastern region.

“My friend, Umahi wants to be president. There is no problem about that. You have a right to be president. Nobody can stop you. You are educated. You have been a governor for two terms, so you are qualified to say I want to be president of Nigeria.

“But, that does not mean, that because you want to blackmail your party, and tell lies to the people you are leaving the party because of the injustice meted against the South-East, that is not correct.

“In life , power is sweet, but conscience is important. It is most offensive and insulting for a man to lie against his party because of power.

“My reaction to Governor Umahi’s defection is not that he has no right to defect, but to say he is defecting because of injustice meted to the South East that is insulting to the South East,” Wike said.

AllNews recalls that PDP in its reaction to the development claimed that the governor took his decision for personal reasons.