I Planned Defection To APC With Anyim And NASS Members — Umahi

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has revealed that he planned his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim and some National Assembly members from the state.

Speaking at an APC stakeholders meeting in Abakaliki, Umahi said Anyim backed out of the plan because he (Umahi) went to see President Buhari over the defection plan without carrying him along.

The Governor who revealed that the only grievance of the NASS members and other leaders was that he joined APC before them, added that the plan was for Anyim and other leaders to join him in APC two weeks after he must have successfully defected.

He said;

“They were planning to ambush me, but it is difficult to catch the air.”

On allegation of Anyim giving him N5bn to pursue his dream of becoming Governor of Ebonyi state in 2015, Umahi said;

“I was a deputy Governor, somebody occupying the highest position from the Southeast (referring to Anyim) went and arranged for a N5bn naira loan for me to prosecute the presidential election for his government. I had to sell many of my properties to pay back that money.”

He also alleged that those attacking him now also fought former Governor Martin Elechi.

Umahi added;

“Let me tell you, I’m not afraid of anybody but I respect everybody. But I have said that if God sent me, this will be the last fight in this state.

“All these people that came together to fight me, they collect contracts, they collect monthly pay, they collect vehicles. And when they are asked to bring people that worked for us, they will bring their wives, children and relations.

“Now, they are dressing words for us. We are in chapter one, in Chapter two, I will publish all that I have done for the leaders of this state.”