President-Muhammadu-Buhari-receives-the-Executive-Governor-of-Ebonyi-State-Chief-Dave-Umahi-at-the-State-House.-Abuja
By DAVID IORJA, Abuja –
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday commended the defection of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it “as a bold move driven purely by principle rather than opportunistic motives.”
Umahi who was elected governor of of Ebonyi state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said on Tuesday he wanted to be a martyr who would be sacrificed to achieve the much-sought Igbo presidency.
He made the declaration on in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen on his defection, noting that only martyrs make sacrifices for the peoples’ interest in difficult times.
Reacting to the defection, President Buhari said:
“I am proud of Governor David Umahi for taking this bold decision in accordance with his conscience and principles rather than any external influence or coercion.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, in a statement, quoted Buhari as saying, “Good governance is very important to us in the APC, and I’m glad that the governor has cited this as a major factor in his decision to join us. I urge our citizens to pay less emphasis on identity politics if we want our democracy to make a positive impact on our country.”
He noted that “with men like Umahi, I foresee a brighter future for our democracy because the voters will be more motivated by performance records of parties and their candidates.”
“Let me once again; commend the boldness of Governor Umahi for taking this courageous decision in a country where principles are in short supply among many. I know people might call him names, but that is the price men of principles have to pay for acting according to their conscience and convictions” President Buhari added.