Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has urged the South East region to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027, stating that such support would strengthen the region’s chances of producing a Nigerian president in the future.
In a statement made available to The Guardian, Umahi cautioned against what he called “darkening counsel without knowledge,” warning that any notion of an Igbo presidency in 2027 was misleading and unrealistic. He stressed the need for political maturity and strategic alliance-building if the South East truly desires to occupy the presidency.
“We must not be deceived again,” Umahi said. “The President must have the votes of the South East up to 90% to cement this relationship. Enough of darkening counsel without knowledge in the South East. We must rise to educate our people.”
He praised President Tinubu for showing what he described as unwavering love and fairness to the region, urging the people to reciprocate by backing his second-term bid.
Umahi further emphasized that the South East should avoid engaging in politics driven by hate, misinformation, or emotional sentiments. Instead, he advised the region to show solidarity with other parts of the country as a strategy to earn future support.
“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,” he said.
He made it clear that the South East should not expect to produce a president in 2027 but should rather focus on building long-term national alliances.
“Mr. President must be supported to complete his tenure of 8 years, which all regions are benefitting from. One day, we will be number one, but not in 2027,” he stated.
Umahi also commended South East governors for what he described as their support for the Tinubu administration and their ongoing development efforts, urging the people to stand behind both the governors and the president in their quest for second terms.
