Minister of Works David Umahi has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure all five states in the South-East in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Umahi said Tinubu’s administration had addressed what he described as the region’s previous marginalisation, insisting that the President would receive substantial support from the zone.
“The President is going to harvest a lot of votes in the South-East. My faith is telling me we will win the five states,” Umahi said.
The minister argued that the South-East was now better represented in the Federal Government, pointing to the appointment of ministers and service chiefs from the region.
Umahi also dismissed the possibility of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi posing a serious threat to Tinubu or the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 election.
“Peter Obi is not a threat to me or to my party,” he said, adding that the former Anambra State governor’s political claims should be measured against the performance of other leaders.
The former Ebonyi State governor attributed the APC’s poor showing in the South-East during the 2023 election to what he called the previous administration’s unfair treatment of the region.
He further disclosed that efforts to create a sixth state for the South-East were ongoing, saying the proposal was necessary to promote equity and bring the region in line with other parts of the country.
In the 2023 presidential election, Obi won all five states in the South-East. Umahi’s projection therefore signals the APC’s growing effort to expand its support base in the region ahead of the 2027 contest.