Gov Umahi endorses Gbajabiamila as speaker

David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, has endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader of the house of representatives, as speaker of the lower legislative chamber in the 9th assembly.

Umahi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker when he received him at government house, Abakaliki, the state capital, on Tuesday.

Accompanied by some lawmakers, including Abdulmumin Jibrin, spokesman of his campaign, Gbajabiamila visited Ebonyi to solicit the support of Umahi.

The governor urged Gbajabiamila to carry every member along in the 9th assembly irrespective of party affiliation.

“This visit is the first of its kind and that’s the way it should be; we should deemphasise party affiliation because it is capable of denying us the development we needed as we continue to define everything along that line,” Umahi said.

“That is why we should pursue whatever that can tie us together. When you get there, let’s de-emphasis party affiliation, let’s work for the country because no section can do it alone, we need one another for the survival of this country.”