Tony Okafor,Awka

David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, has urged political leaders in the Southeast to set aside ambitions for the 2027 presidential election and instead rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He warned that it shall not be well for Ndigbo if they fail to give President Tinubu 90 percent of the votes in the region.

Umahi made the appeal during an interaction with journalists in Aba, Abia State, where he was on an official visit.

According to the minister, the Southeast should adopt a strategic political approach rather than let emotions dictate its decisions ahead of the next general election.

The former governor of Ebonyi State specifically called on Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to reconsider any intention of contesting the presidency again in 2027. Umahi warned that another presidential bid by Obi could deepen political divisions within the Southeast.

He argued that President Tinubu’s administration has already begun addressing long-standing complaints of marginalization in the region through federal appointments and major infrastructure projects.

“The Southeast is currently witnessing a visible federal presence, particularly in road construction and other development initiatives,” Umahi said. He highlighted several ongoing projects, including major work along the Port Harcourt–Enugu Road corridor, noting that the federal government is investing trillions of naira to improve critical infrastructure across the region.

Umahi also pointed out that the Southeast now holds significant positions within the federal government, including the Ministry of Works, which he described as evidence of Tinubu’s inclusive style of governance.

He stressed that the 2027 election should be seen as an opportunity for the Southeast to strengthen political alliances with other regions and reciprocate the goodwill extended to the zone by the current administration.

Expressing confidence that President Tinubu would receive overwhelming support from the Southeast, Umahi cautioned that failing to align politically with the current government could jeopardize the continuation of key projects in the region.

“Political decisions in the Southeast should be guided by long-term regional interests rather than individual ambitions. I don’t want any other person to come and stop these projects. I want our brother, Peter Obi, not to endanger our people. We need to be strategic and bond with other regions,” he said.

He added that President Tinubu is likely to secure victory in the next election and urged Southeast leaders to support him massively.

“If we fail to give about 90 percent support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it will not be good for us. We need to be strategic as a people,” Umahi stated.

He further called on citizens to continue praying for the president and members of his administration while offering constructive criticism when necessary. According to him, cooperation and unity with the federal government would place the Southeast in a stronger position ahead of future political negotiations.

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