Southeast Presidency Quest In 2027 Is A “Dead End”, Umahi Declares, Insists Tinubu’s ‘Emilokan’ Mandate Will Expire In 2031

Umahi, who has faced intense criticism on social media for his pro-Tinubu stance, claimed he was acting under “divine instruction” to lead the Southeast toward the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that the Southeast region’s quest for the presidency in 2027 is a “dead end,” insisting that the “Emilokan” mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must run its full course until 2031.

In a speech laced with political sarcasm and religious metaphors, Umahi told a crowd in Enugu on Thursday that any attempt by the region to secure the nation’s top seat through “foul language” or opposition politics would end in futility.

Opening a 15km section of the Abakpa–9th Mile–Onitsha Federal Highway, the former Ebonyi State Governor mocked those eyeing the 2027 presidential ticket, stating that the Southeast must remain “strategic” by supporting Tinubu’s re-election to earn a chance in the future.

“The Emilokan will be over in 2031. No be so?” Umahi asked rhetorically. “We will not mount the seat of presidency by foul language or may wish. Nobody will give it to us. We have to be strategic. No matter who has the presidential ticket of other political parties, Southeast people must support the President.”

“God already told me; you know this is David, the only man that is both priest and king. God has spoken to me that the mighty hands of God are upon President Bola. He will win again,” the minister said, dismissing his critics as “social media noisemakers.”

The minister framed the massive reconstruction of the Enugu–Onitsha expressway, a project he claims was abandoned for eight years, as a “gift” that should be paid for with 80% of the region’s votes in 2027.

He revealed that the Federal Government is spending over N352 billion on the route, using “Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway standard” reinforced concrete.

Asphalt will always fail, but concrete will stay between 50 and 100 years,” Umahi noted. “Only President Bola can do it for the people of Southeast. We should not be aiming to give him anything less than 80% [votes]. Do that and leave the rest for us.”

In a direct jab at regional agitators and opposition figures like former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, Umahi claimed that the era of crying over marginalisation was over, citing his own role as Works Minister and the appointment of Service Chiefs from the region.

“The marginalisation we are talking about is over. For the first time, your son is Minister of Works. We never had Service Chiefs in the past administration, but this administration, we have two,” he said.

He concluded by warning Southeast leaders that any politician not “vocal” in praising Tinubu’s projects is “not for us,” signaling a deepening divide between the APC-led infrastructure drive and the region’s broader political aspirations.