A state governor elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed why he respects President Muhammadu Buhari so much despite belonging to different political parties.
David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi State said he has much respect for Mr Buhari because of the personal relationship he has with the president.
Mr Umahi who belongs to the PDP in the South East region is the only opposition governor said to have a close relationship with Buhari among others from the zone.
POLITICS TIMES recalls that even before the president, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), made his intention known, the governor had already declared to support the president should he decide to run in the presidential race slated for this month.
The governor at the time said as much as he deserves re-election, Buhari also deserves a second term in office.
Ahead of the president’s visit to the State, Umahi hinted the he will be recruiting 2,000 members of the PDP to help welcome Buhari to the state.
Speaking during a meeting with Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate, his campaign team, and members of the state traditional rulers council, the governor said people should not misinterpret his personal relationship with the president to mean APC will win the state during the presidential election.
“Ebonyi state is PDP. Ebonyi state has always been the strongest PDP state from day one,” Umahi said.
“We have come of age and our eyes are wide open and let me say sir that the president is my personal friend and it has nothing to do with politics, he is a sitting president and deserves my respect.
“That has nothing to do with politics. Let nobody bring that into politics of Ebonyi state,” he said.