We have to work with other tribes as the South-West did with the North and have succeeded.
We have to stop being parochial and clannish; who could have believed that Obi was talking with me up till the last minute?
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, on Monday, advised his fellow Igbo people to stop being ‘clannish’ in their aspiration to produce a President for Nigeria.
He said this on Monday while reviewing the political adventures of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in February 25 election, Peter Obi.
According to him, the Igbo made a strong statement by massively voting for Obi, but the reality has shown that they need to reach out to other tribes to achieve the ultimate.
He noted that the outcome of the February 25 presidential election had vindicated Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, who had predicted that the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, would not win.
Umahi, however, noted that he was not against the South-East Zone for voting massively for Obi, during the presidential election.
The Ebonyi governor spoke at the Ebonyi International Airport, Onueke, in the Ezza South Local Government Area of the state, while addressing stakeholders and people of Ezza clan.
Umahi said, “The All Progressives Congress is not angry or does not condemn Obi’s feat as the South-East has made a strong statement with it.
“One, however, digs with two-arrowed woods so that when one fails to stick on the target, the other wood will stick to it.”
According to Umahi, who is Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, it is always important for any tribe to reserve a slot for negotiation.
He said, “Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State harped on this fact and was crucified it; but his words have come to pass. The wise thing for the Igbos to do is to tell themselves the truth that we alone cannot make ourselves President.
“We have to work with other tribes as the South-West did with the North and have succeeded.
“We have to stop being parochial and clannish; who could have believed that Obi was talking with me up till the last minute?” he added.
Soludo had, in an article dated November 14, 2022, asserted that Obi would not win the presidential election.
He stated, “Let’s be clear: Peter Obi knows that he can’t and won’t win. He knows the game he is playing, and we know too; and he knows that we know.”
