Umahi says South-East will vote differently in 2027 over Tinubu’s projects

Minister of Works David Umahi has stated that the South-East's overwhelming support for Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election was an "accident of history". He attributed this to the region's perceived marginalization under the previous administration. Umahi claimed that the political outlook in the South-East had shifted under President Bola Tinubu, citing federal infrastructure projects and appointments as reasons for potential changes in voter behavior in the 2027 election.

Umahi suggested that the South-East had reasons to feel aggrieved before Tinubu took office, as they had been marginalized in the past. However, he argued that this was no longer the case. The minister highlighted the increased federal infrastructure investments and appointments for the region under Tinubu's leadership, stating that the situation had improved significantly.

He predicted that in 2027, the South-East would express their joy over the President's treatment of them, contrasting this with their anger demonstrated in 2023. Umahi believed that the region would acknowledge Tinubu's commitment to their development, particularly through major federal road projects and other investments.

Moreover, he noted that serving and former governors, traditional rulers, and influential figures in the South-East were increasingly aligning with Tinubu. The minister rejected claims that South-East leaders supporting Tinubu were betraying the region or Obi, asserting that political interests should not be permanently tied to one candidate.

He also criticized social media supporters who insulted South-East political leaders for backing Tinubu, arguing that such attacks would not benefit Obi's political interests or those of the region.

Umahi maintained that the circumstances shaping the region's voting pattern in 2023 had fundamentally changed. He expressed confidence that Tinubu would defeat Obi in the South-East in the 2027 election, emphasizing that the region's political interests should be engaged and negotiated with other parts of Nigeria for a better future.