ELECHI PICKS EBONYI PDP CHAIR AS RUNNING MATE

By NBF News

By PETER OKUTU
AHEAD of the forthcoming gubernatorial election billed for April this year, Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, weekend, chose the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman in the state, Engr. Dave Umahi, as his running mate.

Elechi, who announced his decision during the party's enlarged state executive committee meeting in Abakaliki, noted that the decision was made possible after due consultations among some stakeholders in the state.

He added that the sterling qualities of the chairman were the major factors that contributed to his choice as the party's potential deputy governor.

He said: 'As a result of my consultations, I decided to zero in on the present PDP chairman as the next deputy dovernor of Ebonyi State. The chairman has shown in-depth handling of the constitution of the party.

'Dave Umahi knows how to handle the party. Before he came in as party chairman, we were using a rented apartment. But now, we are using this edifice.'

'I feel confident and comfortable to choose Dave Umahi as my running mate. I have decided to register him at the national secretariat as my running-mate. May it please this house to endorse him.'

On the just concluded party primaries, Governor Elechi made it clear that if the results were tampered with at any level, he would severe himself from the governance of the state, adding that it was not proper for anybody to alter results collated on the field during the primaries.

Elechi, used the forum to emphasize that there was no going back on his second term bid as governor of the state, stressing that his return would enable him complete ongoing projects in the state.

He appealed to party members who lost at the primaries not to be deterred as a result of their present condition, and noted that at an appropriate time, they would be compensated accordingly.

In his reaction, the unanimously adopted running mate, Dave Umahi, thanked the governor for the choice of his person, adding that the decision would help to strengthen unity and alliance within the party.

Meanwhile, the party approved Ugorji Amaoti, as replacement for Dave Umahi, while Uche Ega was nominated secretary of the party.

Former secretary of the party, Frank Onwe, would now run as the party's candidate for Ohaukwu North constituency in the state House of Assembly election.