A former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has formally withdrawn from the Enugu governorship race.
In a post he published on his Facebook page, the Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone said part of the reasons for his withdrawal was because of betrayals from trusted allies. He called for unity in Enugu, and also congratulated of Mr Peter Mba, and he he PDP governorship flagbearer.
Part of his statement read:
“1. After consulting widely with the elders of our party as well as well meaning friends and respected elders across the country and beyond;
- After a long and painstaking introspection on our contributions to the development of the PDP;
- After considering the current security situation in the South East region and the need not to put anybody in harms way by a foreseeable combustive political environment, as my ambition is not worth the life of any Enugu son or daughter;
- After considering that the things that hold us together as Ndi Enugu will ultimately outlive the treacheries of the moment;
- After receiving assurances from the gubernatorial candidate of our party, Barr. Peter Mba, that he would integrate our “Pathway to a New Enugu State” in his programme and his assurances of the participation of everybody in his campaign team and government;
I, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, hereby formally withdraw from the 2023 gubernatorial contest in Enugu State. I congratulate Barr. Peter Mba and wish him success.
It is time to unite.”