2023 presidency: Umahi denies running with El-Rufai

By FELIX UKAH, Abakaliki

Ebonyi state governor, Engineer David Umahi said some politicians have plotted to discredit him with rumours that he is running for the presidential slot in 2023 in manner meant to paint him as being desperate.

A press statement issued on Saturday by Umah’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr.Francis Nweze stated that attention had been drawn to an ill-conceived political poster with an image of the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Chief David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE contesting for the President of Nigeria and flanked by Governor Nasir El- Rufai for Vice President of Nigeria in 2023, currently circulating on social media.

He said that such bears the imprint of detractors and political desperados who thrive on gossips, rumours and have resulted in producing a smokescreen where they attempt to drag the name of the Governor to the mud via the poster.

“One could not help but come to a sane conclusion that enemies of the state probably quoting the harmless expression of an Igbo born industrialist, Chief Cletus Ibeto who said “when it is time, we will send Umahi”, decided to stir the hornet’s nest and hit up the polity with such embarrassing poster.”

“In as much as Governor David Umahi has towering credentials that in any contest makes him visible, he has not made public, any intention to contest for any position in 2023, let alone choosing a successor as he is a governor who is presently committed to delivering of dividends of democracy to his Ebonyi people as he believes that politicking ends immediately after election.”

“We, therefore, call on all lovers of good governance, Governor Umahi’s ambassadors and the general public to ignore such posters as it is nothing, but the handiwork of mischievous elements who are determined to put the Governor against his admirers.”

He noted that 2023 is too far to start politicking now. (Saturday Independent)