Victor Umeh, Senator representing Anambra Central has explained Peter Obi did not ask Rotimi Amaechi to step down for him, describing their meeting as a “noble visit”.
Umeh spoke on Prime Time on Arise TV on Monday.
He said claims that Obi went to Amaechi to beg him to withdraw from the presidential race are false and misrepresent what transpired.
“That is a misrepresentation,” Umeh said, adding that the use of the word “beg” was “very condescending”.
According to him, Obi visited Amaechi as part of routine political engagement and to formally inform him of his intention to run for president.
“You have to talk to your opponent. Going to see him was a noble visit, good intention,” he said.
Umeh said he accompanied Obi to the meeting, noting that both politicians exchanged pleasantries before discussing the upcoming election.
He said Obi told Amaechi he intended to contest the presidency to avoid speculation, and Amaechi responded that he was also running.
“That was where the conversation ended,” Umeh said.
He added that Obi did not request Amaechi to step down at any point during the meeting.
“If I tell you I want to run for an office you also want to run for, that does not amount to asking you to step down for me,” he said.
Umeh said the narrative that Obi sought Amaechi’s withdrawal was a “wrong spin” of the visit.
