Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi says he has no apologies for describing President Muhammadu Buhari as a man with a good heart and father to him.
Umahi said this on Wednesday, while receiving the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, at the Government House, Abakiliki.
The former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and former Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ali-Modu Sheriff has commended the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi for the massive transformation in Ebonyi State.
Sen Sheriff made the commendation during his visit to Governor Umahi at the Executive Council Chambers, old Government House, Abakaliki on Wednesday.
Sen. Sheriff who said his last time of visiting Ebonyi State was six years ago, expressed surprise at how Governor Umahi has transformed the State to one of the most developed states in the Country within the period under review.
“I came here about six years ago but since I came here today, I have been asking, are we in Ebonyi State or another State?
“Six years ago, there were no flyovers, not only that we were ridding on concrete roads, they took me to Government House and I was asking is this another State, in fact, I was lost.
“Your Excellency, I must confess that I am proud of you. I have been a Governor for eight years and I know what it takes to be a Governor and I want to say to you my brother that if they weigh you on a scale by any indices, you have passed by 85%”.
Describing Gov. Umahi as the “iroko of the Eastern Nigeria”, Sen. Sheriff informed Umahi that he is in the South East for consultation in respect of his interest to contest the position of the Chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress, the APC during the forthcoming convention of the party.
“Honestly, if I was told before coming here that Ebonyi is like this, I will say NO. We thought we were coming to one bush but it’s completely a new city.”
“I have never thought in my wildest dream that this is what I will meet in Ebonyi only after six years”
“I was making consultations of our party’s leadership. When I was doing this consultation, suddenly, the “iroko tree of Eastern Nigeria” joined our great party and I felt, I am not doing myself justice”.
Governor David Umahi while responding commended Alhaji Sheriff for the warm compliments expressed on the achievements of his administration.
He described Alhaji Ali-modu as a dogged party man who worked hard to reposition their former Political Party when he held sway as the National Chairman.
“We are very excited to receive my big brother and friend to Ebonyi State, one thing you can find about this man is that no matter what is the situation, you will always find him smiling, you will always find him giving hope to others, you will see him encouraging, he is a man that is very accessible, a very wealthy man but very humble to the core.
“This man is strong in character, you can’t bribe him and you can’t sway him.
“I am happy to have you in Ebonyi State and I can assure you, Sir, that we have miracles happening in Ebonyi State not by the power of man but by the grace of God.
“You are a good man, Sir. I want to assure you that our Father, the Leader has a role to play, but if it is thrown open, you are my choice.
“I have no regrets in saying that Mr. President has a good heart, so I call for support for Mr. President, he is the man that is very conscious of his integrity, no regrets and I continue to say that Mr. President is a man with a good heart.
“You are a good man who builds bridges across the North and South including the South East, I will never be afraid of advocating that the Presidency rotates between North and South because when the Country is at peace, everybody is happy but when the Country is not at peace, no matter the position you occupy, you may not be able to function, so we have to try as much as possible to bring peace for us and our children and I want to believe that Leaders of our party will do consider this and do it, no one person can do otherwise in the affairs of the Nation. So, let us be entrenched on the path of equity and progress and we will all return to the path of peace.”
