Umahi Says Southeast Should back Tinubu And Wait For Its Turn

Minister of Works David Umahi has urged the South East to support President Bola Tinubu and shelve its presidential ambitions until after 2031.

Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, the former Ebonyi governor said Tinubu deserves to complete his two terms in office for the sake of equity and political balance.

Umahi recalled that before the 2023 elections, all 17 southern governors agreed in Asaba that power should shift to the South, regardless of party lines. He said the South East should respect that agreement since the “southern crown” eventually went to Tinubu.

“It is not yet the time of the South East,” Umahi said. “When Tinubu finishes his tenure, the South East can contest, having never held the position before.”

The minister added that Tinubu’s presidency represents the collective mandate of the entire southern region, warning against any early agitation for a power shift.

He said fairness and justice would only make sense if every region takes its turn at the presidency, adding that when the time comes, the South East has qualified sons and daughters ready to lead.

Umahi admitted that the zone had faced years of political neglect, which affected the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s performance in 2023, but said Tinubu was changing that narrative.

He described Tinubu as a fair leader who treats all regions equally, noting that his own appointment as minister of works was a major win for the South East.

“The South East might complain about not having many appointments, but the ministry of works is like five grade A ministries,” Umahi said.

He urged people of the region to appreciate the progress being made under Tinubu’s administration.

“We should be clapping with our hands and legs for President Tinubu,” he said. “My appointment is not just a title; it’s about what we’ve achieved for the country through it.”