2027: Opposition Parties Condemn Umahi’s Call for South-East to Support Tinubu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), and other political groups have strongly criticized Works Minister Dave Umahi for urging the South-East to back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Umahi, in a statement on Monday, appealed to the region to support Tinubu, arguing that it would serve the long-term political interests of the Igbo people.

*“We must not be deceived again. Mr. President must have the votes of the South-East up to 90 per cent to cement this relationship. Enough of darkening counsel without knowledge in the South-East,”* he said.

“We must rise to educate our people. If we want to be president, we must avoid the politics of hate, misinformation, and sentiments. We must support other regions, and with God, one day, other regions will support us. Mr. President must be supported to complete his tenure of eight years, which all regions are benefiting from. One day, we will be number one, but not in 2027. I will vocally continue to stand against any mischief to deceive our people. We are known for hard work and love, and not hate.”

Opposition Reacts: “Self-Serving, Hypocritical”

Ken Asogwa, spokesperson for the Senator Nenadi Usman-led PDP faction, described Umahi’s remarks as “provocative and self-serving.”

*“Engr. Dave Umahi ought to be ashamed of himself. In 2022, when he declared his presidential ambition under the APC, he argued that it was the South-East’s turn to produce the president. Now, suddenly, the same region is no longer ‘ripe’ simply because he wants to protect his ministerial position,”* Asogwa said.

*“What exactly has changed between 2023 and now? His appeal is driven by fear—fear of Peter Obi’s growing national appeal. But Umahi must accept that Obi is no longer just a South-East phenomenon; he is now a national brand.”*

Asogwa challenged Umahi to take his pro-Tinubu campaign to Kano or other Northern states where Obi has gained significant traction.

PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha also dismissed Umahi’s comments, stating that the minister was only expressing his personal views as an APC member.

“He is not the mouthpiece of the South-East. He cannot speak for Nigerians. If he were sincere, he wouldn’t ask people to support failure,” Osuoha said.

ADC, NNPP Weigh In: “A Cover for Tinubu’s Continuity”

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi accused Umahi of hypocrisy, saying:

“Their talk about power rotation is a smokescreen. What they truly want is for Tinubu to remain in office. This shows their insincerity.”

NNPP’s Ladipo Johnson described Umahi’s statement as “typical politics,” but stressed that Nigerians should be free to make their own choices in 2027.

“He is entitled to his opinion, but the South-East will decide. Democracy allows dissenting voices, and leaders like Peter Obi have every right to oppose Tinubu’s government,” Johnson said.

APGA, Igbo Youth Parliament Defend Umahi

However, APGA’s 2023 presidential candidate, Chekwas Okorie, acknowledged Umahi’s stance as partisan but urged a focus on governance.

“He is promoting his party’s interest, but he should also explain how Tinubu’s government has benefited the South-East so far,” Okorie said.

Igbo Youth Parliament Speaker Rikki Nwajiofor backed Umahi, claiming Tinubu has been favorable to the region.

“President Tinubu has favored Ndigbo in two years. We support his re-election and will campaign for him,” Nwajiofor said.

APC Confident of Nationwide Support

APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim asserted that Tinubu’s performance would secure his re-election.

*“Every zone, including the South-East, should support him. His achievements speak for themselves, and that’s why APC will win in 2027,”* Ibrahim said.

As the debate intensifies, Umahi’s remarks have further polarized political discourse, with opposition parties dismissing his appeal while Tinubu’s allies rally behind his continuity agenda.