The Chairman of South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi has denied speculations making the rounds that he is secretly sponsoring a group promoting Igbo Presidency in 2023 insisting that he knows nothing about the inuaguration of the group in Abakaliki the Ebonyi State capital today.

Governor Umahi who unequivocally dissociated himself from the purported Inauguration of the campaign platform by a group of Socio-political group in Abakaliki on Tuesday led by its National Coordinator, Mr. Okechukwu Obioha and the National Woman Leader, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu describing the move as a distraction to his programs and policies.

Governor Umahi in a Press Statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor and made available to Journalists dissociated himself and his Government from any form of political gathering with intent to promote his Presidential ambition in 2023.

“Governor Umahi is more committed to delivering quality and purposeful Leadership to the people of Ebonyi State it was in the earlier hours of today learnt that people are flying his name as one of the sponsors of South East for President come 2023. In as much as he may have nothing against such movement and those behind it, let it be made clear that he is not part of the movement or the sponsorship”.

“His mission is to be where God wants him to be at a time. His worries everyday is how to reposition Ebonyi State and lift the people out of poverty and not how to be President or how to make one”.

The statement by the Chief Press Secretary further said: “the promoters of the Govermors purported 2023 Presidential ambition does not have his support and therefore should not link him with any election that is four years ahead”.

“His Excellency was greatly embarrassed by the link to Presidential ambition of 2023 being circulated in various social media platforms and he wishes to state that he will not be distracted by the various endorsements by groups and individuals who clamour for Nigeria President of Igbo extraction”

“Governor Umahi does not know the promoters of the platform and could not have contracted them to do the job but believes that any genuine and law abiding Nigerians reserve the right to go about their business as long as it doesn’t not impinge on laid down rules of the country “

The Governor however dismissed the insinuation of his Presidential ambition, adding “2023 is still very far ahead of us. I am the Governor of Ebonyi State and a second term Governor for that matter by the grace of God, I put all my energy and concentration to serve my people as Governor and deliver on my campaign promises. I am not looking at where I will be tomorrow. Allow God to determine my next political fate but don’t distract me with Presidential ambition of 2023 now in 2019, it’s ridiculous”

“Let me say again, as a Nigerian and Igbo man and in my capacity as the Chairman of South East Governors Forum, I am not against the igbo presidency or agitation for Nigeria President of Igbo extraction but linking me to it at this time is mostly embarrassing, distracting and premature and I beg to be left out of it”.

The inuaguration which held today at the Women Development Center WDC Abakaliki saw the emergence of a former Lawmaker in the State, Hon Kennedy Ogba, as the State Coordinator alongside other executive members.

The event which witnessed a large turnout of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faithfuls in the State also saw a presentation of the need for Igbo Presidency come 2023.