Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, on Wednesday declared his intention to contest for the Senate Presidency seat on the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
Umahi who doubles as the APC Senator -elect for Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, made the declaration in Abakaliki the State capital, during the State Executive Council meeting held at the Executive Council Chambers New Government House.
The Senator -elect for Ebonyi South zone, reiterated that he would not go against the party decision on the issue.
” am indicating interest for the seat of the Senate President of the forthcoming 10th Senate, I want to put myself forward”
The State Chief Executive appealed to the Leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC), to zone the Senate Presidency slot to the south-east geo-political zone of the country.
“The south-east is totally APC, in Ebonyi State we returned three senators-elect to APC, Governor-elect/deputy Governor elect of Ebonyi to APC”
He emphasized that the zoning of the Number 3 position to south-east will calm nerves.
“I request the Leadership of APC to zone the Senate Presidency slot to south-east and the Speaker of the House of Representative to North Central zone”
“It will be fair for Nigeria to look the direction of the south-east zone, ”
According to him,”It’s time to amend the Rules of the Senate, I appeal to the National Assembly to set aside the Rules of the Senate inorder to get the best”
“God is the Breaker of Protocols, without prejudice to the wish of APC party leadership, let us not set obstacles on the way”
“I have been in Public Service for 16 years, when you administer a State, you have garnered the requisite administrative experience to lead the National Assembly”
Speaking against the backdrop of petitions instituted by Mr Peter Obi of Labour Party and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), at the Presidential Election Tribunal, challenging the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu/Kassim Shettima as President-Elect and Vice President -elect, Umahi appealed to the duo to withdraw the petition.
“I urge Obi and Atiku to embrace peace and accept the victory of Asiwaju Tinubu in the February 25th general election”
“They should join hands with Asiwaju and Kassim Shettima and unite our people”
“Let them not waste time in Litigations, the work at hand is enormous, let them accept the verdict of God ”
On the emergence of Hon Francis Nwifuru and Princess Patricia Obila (APC), as Governor -elect and deputy Governor -elect of Ebonyi State respectively, Umahi assured Ebonyians that they will not disappoint the citizenry.
“I want to assure the people of Ebonyi State that Hon Nwifuru will execute the policies and programmes of the Divine Mandate policy”
“I congratulate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima for emerging victorious, It is God that brought them to Power”