The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party, and several others condemned the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over his call for the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
According to The Punch, in a statement released on Monday, Umahi had urged the South-East to rally behind President Tinubu, asserting that such a move would align with the long-term interest of the Igbo people. According to the minister, the South-East must not be misled again, and he emphasized that the President must secure up to 90 per cent of the region’s votes in order to solidify the relationship between the South-East and the presidency.
Umahi stated that there was a need to stop what he described as “darkening counsel without knowledge” in the South-East, and called on the region to rise up and educate its people. He argued that if the Igbo aspired to produce a president someday, they must abandon what he termed “the politics of hate, misinformation, and sentiments.”
He further stated that the South-East must begin to support other regions politically, expressing confidence that, in time, other regions would reciprocate. He stressed that President Tinubu deserved to be supported to complete his constitutionally allowed eight-year tenure, from which, he claimed, all regions were currently benefiting. Umahi added that the South-East would eventually assume the presidency, but not in 2027. He pledged to continue to oppose any form of mischief aimed at misleading the Igbo people, asserting that they were known for hard work and love, not hatred.
The PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, accused Minister Umahi of lacking sincerity in his recent remarks. In an exclusive interview with The Punch, Osuoha asserted that the minister was merely articulating his party’s position and not speaking on behalf of the South-East or Nigerians in general.
Osuoha, who is also from the South-East, criticised Umahi for making such statements, arguing that he was only representing himself. He pointed out that Umahi was a member of the APC and not of the PDP or any other political party in the country.
He further noted that Nigeria is a pluralistic state with multiple political parties and that all citizens are entitled to equal rights. Quoting Section 42 of the Constitution, Osuoha emphasised that no Nigerian should face discrimination based on tribe, religion, or circumstances of birth.
He concluded by stressing that Umahi was not the mouthpiece of the South-East but was merely expressing personal views aimed at advancing the interests of his political mentor.
Further talking, he said, “He cannot speak for the entire Southeast, and he cannot speak for Nigerians. In fact, he is not sincere with Nigerians, because if he is, he won’t ask them to support failure.
“As a party, the PDP has its own zoning formula clearly outlined in our constitution. At the 101st NEC meeting, we constituted our zoning committee, which will conduct the zoning process in line with the party’s constitution.”
He explained that, based on the party’s established practice, the presidential ticket would be zoned to the South if the national chairman emerged from the North, and vice versa. He added that the final decision on the zoning of positions would be made at the party’s upcoming national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan.
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