South-East Governors Rally Behind Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Bid, Says Umahi.
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has announced that all five governors of Nigeria’s South-East region are united in their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027. Speaking in a video shared on Sunday, 17 August 2025, by @peopleofebonyi_ on Instagram, the former Ebonyi State governor emphasised that the governors, regardless of their political affiliations, are aligned with Tinubu’s vision for national development. This declaration comes as the region witnesses a surge in federal infrastructure projects, which Umahi credits to the President’s commitment to equity and progress.
Umahi highlighted the transformative impact of Tinubu’s administration in the South-East, noting that long-standing concerns about marginalisation are being addressed through significant federal investments. He cited ongoing projects such as the Port Harcourt to Enugu, Enugu to Abakaliki, Enugu to Onitsha, and Onitsha to Owerri roads, alongside the Second Niger Bridge, which has received 30 per cent funding from the federal government. “The Igbo man seeks fairness, a Nigeria that treats every zone equally. That is what President Tinubu is doing,” Umahi stated, adding that Ebonyi State alone is benefiting from at least four federal projects, a stark contrast to previous administrations.
The minister revealed plans for a South-East summit to formally endorse Tinubu’s 2027 bid, underscoring the governors’ collective resolve to ensure the completion of these infrastructure initiatives and strengthen national unity. “All the governors in the South-East, regardless of party affiliation, are working with the President. We’re planning a summit to bring together all South-East leaders to endorse the President for 2027,” he said. Umahi also called on prominent regional figures, including former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, to join the effort, stating, “Leadership is about the people. I call on my brother, Peter Obi, to work with Mr President and be part of this summit.”
Umahi, who is the first South-Easterner to serve as Minister of Works, also provided updates on national infrastructure projects, notably the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. He announced that Section 1, spanning 47.47 kilometres from Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki Deep Sea Port, is over 80 per cent complete and will be tolled by December 2025. The six-lane, concrete-paved highway, equipped with solar-powered lighting and CCTV, is projected to yield a 10-year return on investment. Sections 3 and 3B, covering 65 kilometres in Cross River and Akwa Ibom, were recently launched, with local communities expressing enthusiasm for their transformative potential.
Reflecting on his own contributions, Umahi asserted his credentials for future leadership in the South-East, particularly when the presidency rotates to the region. “When the presidency comes to the South-East, I should be at the forefront because of my performance. I’ve asked for a debate with anybody who feels otherwise,” he declared, citing his achievements as governor and minister. He urged the region to adopt a pragmatic approach to political engagement, warning against sentiment-driven strategies and advocating for collaboration with other zones to secure the presidency in the future.
The minister’s remarks align with recent endorsements from APC leaders in the North-West and Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, who has pledged his party’s support for Tinubu in 2027. As Nigeria approaches the next general election, Umahi’s statements signal growing confidence within the ruling party, bolstered by visible developmental strides in the South-East and beyond.