ABAKALIKI, Ebonyi State — Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed claims that Ebonyi State aligns with the Obidient political movement, asserting that residents are firmly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the 2027 general election approaches.
Speaking in Abakaliki on Saturday, the former governor declared that the people of Ebonyi would formally adopt Tinubu as their sole presidential candidate during a ceremonial endorsement scheduled for Monday, June 15. According to Umahi, the decision reflects widespread appreciation for infrastructure projects and policies implemented by the current administration across the South-East region.
The minister argued that many residents of the South-East have recognised what he described as the president’s genuine commitment to infrastructure development and national integration. He pointed to ongoing federal road projects, bridge constructions, and other strategic investments that he said have begun to address long-standing developmental neglect in the region. These initiatives, he noted, have steadily strengthened confidence in the Tinubu administration and demonstrated a willingness to tackle historical imbalances in federal attention.
“The people of Ebonyi are discerning and they reward performance, not empty slogans,” Umahi was quoted as saying. “What they see on the ground—roads that were abandoned for decades now receiving attention, critical infrastructure taking shape, these are what inform their political choices.”
The minister rejected suggestions that the entire South-East region is politically united behind the Obidient movement associated with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. He insisted that political opinions across the five states of the region remain diverse, with many stakeholders continuing to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) based on tangible achievements rather than ethnic or sentimental affiliations.
Umahi specifically cited various road and infrastructure initiatives being executed by the Federal Government, saying they have contributed to changing perceptions about the level of federal attention given to the South-East. He highlighted ongoing work on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge approaches, and several federal highways traversing Ebonyi, Enugu, and Abia States. According to him, these strategic investments aim to improve connectivity, boost trade, and stimulate economic growth across the region.
He further stated that the planned endorsement of Tinubu would serve as a demonstration of solidarity with the president and formal recognition of the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing infrastructure deficits. Umahi argued that political support should be based on measurable achievements and delivery of democratic dividends, not on regional affiliations or the popularity of any particular movement.
“The Obidient phenomenon was a moment, but governance is a marathon,” Umahi added. “President Tinubu has shown capacity, and our people in Ebonyi understand that. We are not Obidient; we are performance-driven.”
The minister also urged political leaders and citizens across the country to focus on national development and constructive engagement. He stressed that governance should remain centred on delivering tangible benefits to Nigerians, regardless of their state or region of origin. He maintained that continued collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments would be essential for sustaining development initiatives and ensuring that no part of the country feels left behind.
Umahi’s remarks come as political activities and alignments gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general election. Although the poll remains more than a year away, discussions surrounding endorsements, alliances, and potential candidates have gained significant momentum across the political landscape. Various interest groups, regional blocs, and party faithful have begun positioning themselves, with the South-East emerging as a particularly contested geopolitical zone.
Observers say Umahi’s comments are likely to generate strong reactions from different political groups within and outside the South-East, where debates over political representation, development equity, and electoral support remain active. The planned endorsement event on Monday is expected to attract APC party leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, and supporters from across Ebonyi State. Sources indicate that the gathering may also feature speeches from other federal lawmakers and state executives.
As preparations continue for the high-profile endorsement ceremony, political analysts will be watching closely for the significance of the event and its potential implications for the evolving political dynamics ahead of the next presidential election. Questions remain whether other South-East governors and ministers will follow Umahi’s lead, or whether the region will maintain a fragmented political posture heading into 2027.
For now, the Minister of Works has drawn a clear line in the sand: Ebonyi State, he insists, is marching to the beat of Tinubu’s drum, not the rhythm of the Obidient movement.
