By Nkechinyere Ewa
David Umahi, Minister of Works, has declared that the South-East must support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 before seeking to produce Nigeria’s president, insisting that the region needs strategic political alliances rather than sentiments.
Umahi, who spoke on Sunday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, also declared that the South-East had no presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, dismissing Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as “nobody” in the political calculations of the region.
The minister argued that Obi was not superior to several prominent political figures from Ebonyi State, including himself, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Minister of Education Sam Egwu and former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Elias Mbam.
He made the remarks during a town hall meeting organised by the Directorate of Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
Umahi urged the people of the South-East to support Tinubu to complete his second term, arguing that such political cooperation would strengthen the region’s chances of securing the presidency when power eventually returns to it.
“An Igbo man needs wisdom, not sentiments. Igbo people should not allow people to be dishing out hate speeches on social media on their behalf,” he said.
He maintained that it would be difficult for Nigerians to accept a four-year presidential tenure for an Igbo candidate, noting that the North had not accepted such an arrangement.
The former Ebonyi governor also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to openly declare support for Tinubu rather than remain neutral.
He cited federal appointments into key positions, including the military hierarchy and ministerial positions, as evidence that the South-East was being integrated into the Tinubu administration.
“Today, we can boldly say we have been integrated. The last time there were choices of service chiefs, it was the Naval Chief. This time, it is the Chief of Air Staff, Minister of Works, other ministers and Senior Special Assistants. What else?” he queried.
Umahi further cited the revival of major roads and improved business conditions as benefits of the Federal Government’s policies, urging the people of the region not to allow political sentiments to undermine their relationship with the centre.
On the 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi, Umahi expressed confidence in the ruling APC, declaring that he would not allow another political party to take over the state.
He described those who believed they could defeat Governor Francis Nwifuru as jokers and pledged to mobilise 1.3 million votes for Tinubu and the governor in the next general election.
“We have 1.8 million registered voters in Ebonyi State. Let me tell you, if we are not donating 1.3 million votes for the President and the Governor, we are doing ourselves a disservice,” he said.