‘Ebonyi has improved since I defected to the APC’ – Governor Umahi says

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state says the All Progressives Congress (APC) had became a household name in the state because of his defection to the party in 2020. Umahi said this in Abakaliki when he inaugurated the newly-elected local government chairmen of APC in the state.

“The defection instantly changed the party’s fortunes in the state and the south east and had continued to cause ripples within the opposition. The state has been improving since then as evidenced by its recent second position in prudent management rating by the budget office of the federation,” he said.

 According to him, the APC is expecting harvest of new members across the country ahead of 2023 poll. He also charged the new local government chairmen to scout for new members for the party.

Umahi, represented by his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, urged them to be disciples of the party in their various councils.

“You should meet individuals who are still undecided on joining the party and convince them that the APC is the moving political train in the state.

“You should also approach those who are asham to openly declare for the party from the opposition and remove all veil of shame from them,” he said.

He advised the chairmen to see their election as a call to duty and not for personal aggrandisement or egoistic reasons.

“This inauguration affirms the party’s trust in you and when you deliver on the mandate, rewards and awards would follow.

“You should stoutly defend the government as it will be a sin to be in the midget of critics and not defend the government,” he said.

Umahi dumped the People’s Democratic Party PDP in almost a year ago. One of the reasons given by the governor for his defection was that the South East region has suffered what he describes as injustice in the PDP.