The governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has said God spoke to him to run for president in 2023.
Mr Umahi stated this when he appeared on “Politics Today” a programme on Channels Television.
He appeared on the programme few hours after he declared his ambition to jostle for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket at the State House, Abuja, where he had met with President Muhammadu Buhari to intimate him of his plan.
Mr Umahi declared his intention 24 hours after the National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, informed Mr Buhari of his decision to throw his hat into the ring.
The Ebonyi governor said it was God that directed him to declare his intention when he did, but that God did not tell him if he will win the presidential election or not.
“God spoke to me– so it is progressive. So, I spoke when he asked me to speak. Based on what God is doing for us in our state, the economic indices—by God’s grace what we have achieved, lots of people believe that the same feat we can achieve at the federal level if given the opportunity.
“You talk to God, God talks to you, that is prayer and you listen to God, and I think I am at peace with this decision. It is not about God telling you that you will win or not, it is about God’s programme. I think that the programme of God will be made manifest,” he said.
When asked about his chances against other heavyweights in the APC, Mr Umahi, who in November 2020 defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he was elected as governor twice, said “Power belongs to God. God gives power to whomever he wishes. God brought a man from prison and made him president.”
