KEY POINTS
- All South-East governors backing Tinubu for 2027.
- Umahi says his record merits presidential consideration.
- He urges South-East to pursue strategy, not sentiment.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that all governors in Nigeria’s South-East region are backing President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027.
Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, made the remarks in a video posted Sunday by Ebonyi 1st Choice News Media on Instagram.
He said no governor in the region was opposed to Tinubu’s candidacy, stressing that governors remain the dominant political forces in their respective states.
Umahi touts South-East governors backing Tinubu
According to him, Tinubu has gained visible support across states including Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo.
“All the governors of the South-East are supporting the president for 2027, and there’s no governor in the South-East that is not supporting the president,” Umahi said.
He added that the collective stance of the region’s governors was proof of confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, with each governor showcasing projects aligned with federal efforts.
Umahi stakes claim to South-East presidency
Turning to his own political future, Umahi argued he should be at the forefront when the presidency rotates to the South-East.
“When the presidency comes to the South-East, I should be at the forefront because of my performance,” he said, challenging rivals to a public debate over records in office.
The minister said his tenure as Ebonyi governor, as well as his current role in the federal cabinet, demonstrated his capacity to deliver on development promises.
“I beat my chest and say ‘Listen, God has used me, President Tinubu has used me, to better the lot of the South-East,’” he remarked.
South-East needs strategy beyond sentiment
Umahi urged the region to adopt a pragmatic approach to attaining the presidency rather than relying on emotions.
“We can’t get to the presidency by sentiment. We have to re-engage; we have to support other regions,” he advised, noting that political alliances would determine the region’s success in producing Nigeria’s president in the future.
He concluded with an assertion that his track record would position him strongly when the moment arrives.