Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) needs members like him to survive.

Umahi said this in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Senator Emmanuel Onwe while dismissing reports that he was defecting from the opposition party.

He insisted the reports was a figment of some people’s imagination.

Onwe said, “There have been speculations as to whether the Governor of Ebonyi State is moving to the APC or whether he is remaining in the PDP, and who is going with him and who is not going with him.

“I want to address this matter hopefully once and for all, for all Nigerians to understand that Governor Umahi is one of the centre pillars of the PDP. And I say that with a very deep conviction in my soul.

“This is a party on whose platform he has been the state chairman for four years; a party on whose platform he was the deputy governor for four years, and now, governor hopefully for eight years.

“Anyone speculating about his commitment, his strength, or his role within the party or any doubt at all about whether he is remaining or defecting, is just dreaming.”

He added, “If the Umahis were not in the PDP, it would completely collapse. And that is why his colleagues and others recognise that he is a man of considerable political wisdom, knowledge and understanding and can play the game very well. So, he is not going anywhere.”