Minister of Works David Umahi declared on December 30, 2025, that the Southeast will deliver overwhelming votes for President Bola Tinubu and Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru in 2027, rejecting the "mistake" of 2023's sentiment-driven choices. Addressing stakeholders in Abakaliki, Umahi insisted Igbos recognize Tinubu's "massive appointments" and infrastructure projects like the Enugu-Abakaliki road as evidence of equity, predicting "no repeat of emotional voting."
Umahi blamed Southeast's 2023 Labour Party sweep on "sentiment over performance," contrasting Tinubu's federal benevolence with Peter Obi's "abandonment." He highlighted Nwifuru's re-election prospects under APC dominance, urging unity behind "Renewed Hope" amid PDP's implosion and APC defections nationwide.
The Works Minister touted Southeast gains ministerial slots, university projects, and power rotation talks as Tinubu dividends, dismissing Obi nostalgia. "We won't repeat 2023 mistake; Igbo will vote massively," Umahi affirmed, echoing Bode George's INEC warnings while positioning APC as Southeast's path to 2027 presidency.
This bold prediction fuels APC's Southeast push amid Enugu chieftain Ada Ogbu's resignation and Rivers' Wike-Fubara wars, with Umahi betting federal patronage trumps zonal agitation. PDP countered weakly as 2027 primaries intensify.