Honourable Sunday Umeha, a lawyer representing Udi-Ezeagu Federal Constituency of Enugu State at the House of Representatives, where he currently serves as the deputy chairman of the House Committee on Justice and the chairman of the Nigerian-Ethiopia Parliamentary Friendship Group, during an interview with The Sun correspondent, discussed the reasons behind his defection and other relevant issues.
According to The Sun, It was also made known that Umeha, was elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) but has since defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
When asked about his opinion on President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the South-East states, which were not considered strongholds for him, he was questioned on what he made of the visit.
While responding to the question, Honourable Sunday Umeha said that, for him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit reaffirmed Tinubu’s personality as a detribalised Nigerian, a pan-Nigerian, and someone who believes in the unity of the country.
He explained that those who had followed or read about the president would know that this was not the first time Tinubu had demonstrated such an all-inclusive attitude. When Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, he included people from outside the South-South-West region in his administration, with many southeasterners serving as Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and in other capacities, as well as others from the northern part of the country. Umeha said this reflected the unity evident in Tinubu’s posture and administration.
He added that the achievements of the APC within the past two years, particularly in the southeastern region, were remarkable. For instance, he pointed to the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, noting that although the bill had been introduced as far back as the 7th or 8th Assembly and had not progressed, the president had assented to it within one to two years in the 10th Assembly. This, according to Umeha, demonstrated that President Tinubu truly had a place in his heart for the people of southeastern Nigeria.
Further talking, he said, “Before now, we have been crying that Igbo are marginalised. But today, the APC government is showing Igbo that sense of belonging, showing them truly you are part and parcel of Nigeria and you own equal rights with other parts of Nigeria. So far, I give a lot of kudos and applause to this administration.”
