The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) has strongly dismissed claims that Minister of Works, David Umahi, can secure the South-East for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. In a statement released Thursday in Abuja, AEISCID President Pascal Oluchukwu argued that Umahi lacks the capacity to deliver such a political victory for President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
The group’s reaction follows Umahi’s recent comments in a State House documentary marking Tinubu’s second anniversary, where he boasted that all South-East governors regardless of party affiliation—were supporting Tinubu’s bid for a second term. Umahi also called on Labour Party leader Peter Obi to join hands with Tinubu and other South-East governors for the region’s benefit.
However, AEISCID criticized Umahi for what they described as his “downright denial” of the marginalization of the South-East. The group expressed disappointment that Umahi and other regional leaders have not shown strong commitment to addressing the real challenges facing the South-East, including the ongoing trial of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and the difficulties faced by JAMB candidates in the region.
Oluchukwu noted, “People of the region are yet to see any vehement commitment from leaders like Umahi to use their influences to persuade the Tinubu administration to fix the real issues affecting our people.” He cited the lack of advocacy on behalf of South-East candidates facing challenges with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as an example of this disconnect.
The association also questioned Umahi’s sincerity regarding infrastructural development, pointing out that no major road project in the South-East such as the Enugu-Port Harcourt, Enugu-Onitsha, Onitsha-Owerri, or Afikpo-Okigwe highways has been completed in nearly two years. They accused Umahi of being more interested in impressing his “paymasters” and benefiting from government contracts than in genuinely addressing the region’s needs.
AEISCID concluded by warning President Tinubu not to rely on Umahi to deliver the South-East for the APC in 2027, insisting that the people remain unconvinced by the current administration’s efforts and are still grappling with critical infrastructural and socio-political challenges.