Minister of Works Dave Umahi has claimed that he “killed” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State when he left the party, saying he would not allow it to regain political strength in the state.
Umahi made the statement while inspecting the Abakaliki-Afikpo section of the Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Abuja Trans-Saharan Highway.
The minister, who previously served as governor of Ebonyi State, also dismissed reports of a Rainbow Coalition in the state.
He described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a close friend and brother, but said any political candidates backed by Wike in Ebonyi would not affect their relationship.
“Wike is my good friend and brother, but there is no rainbow coalition in Ebonyi State. If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me, but his candidates cannot break our relationship,” Umahi said.
He also maintained that his departure from the PDP had effectively ended the party’s political influence in Ebonyi and said he was prepared to ensure that it remained so.
The minister’s comments come amid political realignments involving politicians from different parties ahead of future elections.
Umahi left the PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2020 while serving as governor of Ebonyi State.
