South East leaders neglected, as Atiku picks Obi as running mate ― Umahi

EBONYI state governor and chairman South East Governors forum, Chief David Umahi has described the choice of Dr Peter Obi, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate running mate as a total humiliation to Ndi Igbo.

According to the governor, leaders of the South East and Igbo Leaders were never consulted to deliberate and nominate the candidate of their choice.

The governor apologised to Nigerians and Ndigbo for the statement for earlier congratulating the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.

He added that his Chief Press Secretary acted without his knowledge and wish to state categorically that he has nothing personally against Peter Obi or any other person emerging as the running mate to the presidential candidate of PDP.

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He then described the development as a great departure from the early agreement and said that any position zoned to Ndigbo must be discussed and agreement must be reached so that the right thing will be done in line with the peculiar nature of Igbo politics and their quest for politics of inclusiveness.

“I am shocked over the choice of the former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi as the running mate to the presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar without consulting with the leaders of the zone.

” The earlier statement quoting me as congratulating Peter Obi was never to my knowledge and I, dissociated myself from the statement because the position of the entire South East zone has always been that any position zoned to the South East must be deliberated upon by the leaders of the zone.

” The appointment of Mr Obi as Atiku’s running mate, neither the governors, nor Igbo leaders were consulted, so this situation, I will describe it as a great departure from the early agreement.” ends