Umahi Hails Tinubu for ‘Ending’ S-East Marginalisation, Urges Support for 2027
In a bold political declaration that is likely to stir debate across the country, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has credited President Bola Tinubu with ending what he described as the long-standing marginalisation of Nigeria’s South-East region.
Speaking at a civic reception held in his honour over the weekend by the Okposi Okwu community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Umahi claimed that Tinubu has “broken the jinx” of federal neglect in the region—a statement that may be met with skepticism by many in the South-East who still view the federal presence as insufficient.
The minister, through a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, praised the President for what he called an “equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy,” highlighting his own appointment as Minister of Works as a symbolic and historic shift in the federal government’s approach to the region.
“The Minister thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for breaking the jinx of marginalisation in the South-East through equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy,” the statement read.
While Umahi’s appointment may mark a notable step in political representation, critics argue that symbolic gestures do not automatically translate to systemic change. The South-East has, for decades, complained of lopsided appointments, poor federal infrastructure, and exclusion from key national decision-making processes.
Although the Minister pointed to ongoing road infrastructure projects as evidence of change, details regarding the scope, budget allocations, and timelines of these interventions remain unclear to the public.
Political analysts suggest that Umahi’s endorsement of President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections may be as much a strategic move as a statement of gratitude. His call on the South-East to “mobilise support” for Tinubu could be seen as part of a broader realignment of the region’s political elite with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite historical tensions.
“The Minister urged the region to mobilise in support of President Tinubu in the 2027 general election as a way of reciprocating the goodwill,” the statement added.
The civic event, which turned into a display of high-level political solidarity, was attended by prominent figures including Governors Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), alongside former Senate President and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim.
Also in attendance were former Governors Martin Elechi and Olusegun Osoba, as well as Chief Emma Enukwu, National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the APC—an appearance many interpret as signaling deeper political inroads by the APC in the historically opposition-leaning region.
Still, many observers within and outside the region remain cautious, noting that genuine political inclusion cannot be measured solely by appointments or road projects, but by consistent engagement, equitable federal presence, and respect for regional autonomy within Nigeria’s federal structure.
As 2027 looms closer, the question remains: Has the South-East truly moved past marginalisation, or is it simply being courted for political expediency?
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Umahi Hails Tinubu for ‘Ending’ S-East Marginalisation, Urges Support for 2027