- Enugu Gov, Ugwuanyi weighs plan to decamp to APC
- Ebonyi Gov, Umahi Already on his way to APC
By Gbenga Abulude (Politics and General Desk)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in South-East zone has remained unsettled for a while now as key politicians in the region have threatened to dump the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the PDP fails to cede its 2023 presidential ticket to the zone.
The New Diplomat’s checks reveal that in a move similar to that of Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi, the governor of Enugu state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi aka “Gburugbutu” is also mulling the idea of dumping the PDP for APC.
Investigations show that this move may have reached advanced stage as Gov Ugwuanyi is believed to be eyeing some political schemes in the APC and he is currently weighing all the cards.
Prior to becoming governor of Enugu state, Ugwuanyi was a member of the House of Representatives for about twelve years.
“As I speak to you, Enugu governor may move to APC. He has been discussing with APC. He has been talking to APC and as I said, he is on his way to the APC also unless there is a change of mind and a change in political strategy,” an insider in Enugu politics told The New Diplomat on Sunday.
Recall that in recent days, some PDP leaders from the region have vowed not to take the vice presidential position from the party, saying they would blacklist anyone from the zone that accepts vice presidential ticket from the party.
On Sunday, a former governor from the South-East who spoke on condition of anonymity as reported by Vanguard further echoed same position.
He said that the South East region has been supportive of the PDP and its ideals since 1998 and therefore there’s need to reward the region with a presidential ticket, noting that a president had not emerged from the region in Nigeria since the time of the late President, Nnamdi Azikiwe.
He said, “If the PDP refuses to zone the 2023 Presidential ticket to the South East, we will be left with no other option than to leave the party.
“We are solidly behind the position of our brother and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi. We have supported the party (PDP) and it will be unfortunate if the party decides to take our support for granted.
“We have also vowed that we are not going to accept Vice Presidential ticket from the party and any son or daughter from the zone that accepts to be vice to anyone will be tagged as an enemy of the zone.
“I can also assure you that if the PDP refuses to zone its Presidential ticket to the South East and Governor Umahi leaves, other governors, members of the National Assembly and key stakeholders of the party from South East will also leave.
“You will be surprised with the kind of tsunami that will hit the PDP if it does not handle the issue well. There must be equity and fairness. We should learn how to reward our loyal and dedicated members.
“From the signals we are getting, the APC appears to be ready to zone its presidential ticket to South East and we cannot leave such gesture and follow a party that doesn’t appreciate your loyalty.
“You know that the APC had promised to consider zoning its presidential candidate for 2023 to South East if President Muhammadu Buhari was reelected in 2019. You also know that the President is an upright man. We have the conviction that he will ensure that the APC cedes the position to the zone.
“Some people are already mobilizing for #EndVP protest in South East and we are going to ensure that we make resources available to that effect. It’s going to be a collective thing. And I am assuring you that the country will not regret having a President of South East extraction come 2023,” the former Governor reportedly said.
Last week, The New Diplomat reported that the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi may be on his way to the APC as efforts by the PDP National Working Committee and other top figures in party to halt his planned defection have continued to hit brick wall.
The Governor had hinged his decision to dump the party on the unwillingness of the PDP to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the Southeast region of the country.
