In a no-holds-barred statement that has rattled political nerves across the Southeast, Minister of Works and staunch Tinubu loyalist, Senator David Umahi, has declared that the region must abandon what he called “emotional politics and endless lamentation” if it ever hopes to lay claim to the Nigerian presidency.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja, Umahi, known for his unapologetic support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made it clear that the road to Aso Rock is not paved with complaints or entitlement, but with strategy, alignment, and results.
“No region gets power by crying foul or standing alone,” Umahi stated. “If the Southeast truly wants to lead Nigeria, it must show loyalty, build bridges, and work hard like others.”
He pointed to President Tinubu’s administration as the most inclusive and development-driven government the Southeast has seen in recent times, highlighting signature infrastructure projects like the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway, the Enugu–Onitsha dual carriageway, and the Second Niger Bridge access roads.
“Look at what Mr. President is doing across the Southeast. This is not the time to oppose the center emotionally. This is the time to cooperate, deliver results, and earn trust,” he added.
Umahi’s remarks have sparked a backlash from several youth groups and sociopolitical commentators in the region who view his comments as an insult to the long-standing struggles of the Southeast to gain a fair shot at national leadership.
While some see Umahi’s statement as a wake-up call, others accuse him of being tone-deaf and betraying the aspirations of his people in his desperate bid to remain politically relevant under the Tinubu government.
Political observers note that Umahi’s recent aggressive defense of President Tinubu and his open rebuke of opposition voices in the Southeast suggest a calculated attempt to position himself as the face of pro-Tinubu Igbo politics ahead of 2027.