South-East Leaders' Loyalty to Tinubu Transcends Party Lines, Says Minister Umahi

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asserted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s growing support among South-East leaders is rooted in personal loyalty and mutual respect, rather than party affiliation. During a press conference on Friday, while touring federal projects in the South-West, Umahi emphasized that longstanding friendships and shared histories with the president are key factors that will influence their support in the 2027 elections.

Umahi confidently stated that South-East governors, irrespective of their political parties, are aligned with President Tinubu. “Tell me, who is not working for him?” Umahi asked rhetorically. “Friendship is bigger than the ties of party. That’s what I’ve realized.”

Cross-Party Loyalty Among South-East Governors

Umahi highlighted the enduring relationships between President Tinubu and several South-East governors, including those from opposition parties, as evidence of cross-party loyalty. He specifically mentioned governors such as Peter Mbah of Enugu, Alex Otti of Abia, and Charles Soludo of Anambra, all of whom have personal ties with Tinubu.

“The Enugu governor (Mbah) is a Lagos boy. He’s been a friend of the president. He will not work against the president whether he joins our party or not,” Umahi said. “The governor of Abia state (Alex Otti) is my cousin. He is also a Lagos boy. He’s been there and friendly with the president. They had known themselves and they will all work for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He further noted the bond between Tinubu and Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo, who belongs to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). “Soludo is a Lagos boy. He’s a friend of the president. He’s doing very well in Anambra state irrespective of the fact that my party is also struggling with him. But you can’t remove the fact that he has done very well. So we are at peace and this time we will not divide our votes,” Umahi added.

Nnamdi Kanu’s Case and South-East Support

While addressing the issue of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Umahi clarified that President Tinubu is open to negotiating Kanu’s release, but this is not a precondition for the South-East’s continued support.

“Somebody asked me about Nnamdi Kanu and I said that Nnamdi Kanu’s matter is not something that we give as a condition to the president,” Umahi stated. “He’s a listening president and we are willing to go and negotiate his release. We are willing to go and negotiate his release and we are going to do that. But it’s not a condition for South-East to support the president. Whoever is saying that is making a mistake, because he didn’t put him there.”

Umahi expressed hope that “through God’s grace and will,” Kanu would eventually regain freedom but maintained that the South-East’s political loyalty to Tinubu is not contingent on the outcome of that process.

Looking Beyond Political Sentiments

Umahi urged the people of the South-East to look beyond political sentiments and personal ambitions. “I will continue to ask my people to see beyond sentiments, to see beyond people’s selfish ambition,” he said. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not doing everything right — because he’s not God — but he’s doing most things right, and you should understand from where he took over the realm of governance. He has done very well. I’m ready to defend this government to any level.”

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity and putting the country first. “You can’t unite by hating one man. You can’t unite out of envy and jealousy. I think the country should be put first in whatever thing we are doing,” Umahi stated.