TheCable

David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, says All Progressives Congress (APC), will win the governorship and house of assembly elections in the state whether the Labour Party (LP) is in the race or not.

Francis Nwifuru, the incumbent speaker of the Ebonyi assembly, is the APC candidate in the state. Nwifuru is seeking to replace Umahi who has spent two terms in office and is now a senator-elect.

There is confusion over who is the authentic LP candidate in the state following the sacking of Edward Nkwegu by the supreme court.

Though Splendor Oko Eze, LP Ebonyi chairman was reportedly declared the authentic candidate, Fidelis Nwankwo, a former health minister, has been campaigning as the party’s candidate.

Speaking with reporters after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock villa in Abuja on Tuesday, Umahi said the ruling party also has “strong” candidates in Abia and Enugu states.

“I will, first of all, like to analyze my state and maybe talk about other states. You know we are going to have a governorship election in only three states and a house of assembly election in five states,” he said.

“For my state, I have nothing to worry about. I think God has done the work for me and our candidate, which is a God-driven candidate, is going to emerge, no matter how desperate the opposition will want to try.

“First and foremost is that Mr Peter Obi has announced that there is no Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi state. That is one, but even if the candidate stands in the election, he’s no match for the candidate of the APC. So, I’m very sure that we’re going to win.

“Because I’ve been very busy in Ebonyi state, it’s not been very much easy for me to join the gubernatorial campaign in Enugu state or in Abia state. So, I won’t be able to honestly analyze what are the chances of our party, but I believe that we have very strong candidates, especially in Abia state and I believe that he will emerge.

“This is the most I can say about that.”