The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has finally confirmed his defection to the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He told journalists in Abakaliki on Tuesday that he had no regrets leaving the PDP.
The governor said he moved to the APC because of “injustice” meted out to the South-east by the PDP.
He said that he had no deal with the APC or any member of the party with regards to the zoning of the presidential position to the region.
He said: “I want to clear the air that I never sought (for) PDP presidential ticket and I will not. So whoever that said that I moved to APC because they refused to zone the ticket to me is being very mischievous.
“Even if PDP promises somebody presidential ticket how does it work where over 8000 delegates will be voting. And such promise cannot happen with more than 10 or 20 people so people are being very mischievous about that.
“There are a lot of qualified persons from South-east. Some people say I was promised lots of things by the APC, there was no such discussion. APC never promised me any position, they never promised South-east any position.
“However, I offered this movement as a protest to injustice being done to South-east by the PDP. Since 1999, the South-east have supported the PDP. At a time the five states were all PDP. One of the founding members of the PDP was from South-east, the late former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme.
“It is absurd that since 1999 going to 2023, the South-east will never be considered to run for presidency under the PDP. And this is my position and will continue to be my position. It had nothing to do with me or my ambition,” Mr Umahi said.
Mr Umahi insisted that he would continue to agitate for the interest of the South-east in or out of office.
He said he has decided to become the “sacrificial lamb” that would be crucified for the interest and good of the South-east as a zone.
The Ebonyi State governor said he was not driven by selfish reasons.
He said that he has since 2019 started the agitation for South-east Presidency, insisting that the zone must get it right now or else wait for another couple of years to get such opportunity again.
Mr Umahi further noted that despite his movement to the APC, he would not castigate the Peoples Democratic Party.
He still expressed hope that the PDP will consider the region and zone the Presidency to South-east for equity and fairness.