Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, has dismissed the emerging coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, branding its leaders as faceless and lacking the credibility to challenge the President.
Speaking during the 2025 Sallah celebration with the Muslim community in Abakaliki, Umahi praised Tinubu’s leadership and national integration efforts, declaring that his performance since assuming office justifies his return to power in 2027.
The coalition reportedly involves key political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and former APC National Vice Chairman (North West), Salihu Lukman, among others. Their discussions have centered on forming a unified front to unseat Tinubu and the APC in the next general election.
Umahi, however, dismissed their efforts as politically opportunistic and detached from the realities of governance. He argued that Tinubu has made tangible progress in addressing long-standing regional imbalances, particularly in the South-East.
According to Umahi, the region, which had long suffered from a lack of federal projects, is now experiencing a visible federal presence under Tinubu’s leadership. He pointed to ongoing infrastructural projects and key political appointments as evidence of the administration’s commitment to national integration.
The minister noted that he himself, along with the Chief of Naval Staff and the Minister of Science and Technology, are among prominent South-Easterners appointed to key roles. He described these moves as historic steps toward political reintegration of the zone, which had been marginalized in previous administrations.
He urged the South-East to support Tinubu’s government, describing the current momentum as an opportunity the region cannot afford to miss. He warned against divisive rhetoric and advised that meaningful political engagement, rather than isolation, is the best path forward.
Umahi commended Tinubu for promoting religious unity and interfaith cooperation. He specifically highlighted the President’s decision to lead a Nigerian delegation to the Vatican for the Pope’s inauguration, calling it a landmark gesture that underscored his inclusive leadership style and signaled a new era of religious harmony in Nigeria.
In his view, the President’s actions have set him apart from predecessors and positioned him as a leader committed to unity, equity, and lasting national cohesion.
