By Jude Opara, Abuja
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID), has cautioned the President Bola Tinubu administration against relying on the promise of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi to deliver South-east region to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that he has no such influence and capacity to accomplish such task.
It could be recalled that Umahi had in an interview for an upcoming State House documentary marking Tinubu’s second anniversary, boasted that all South-east governors are supporting President Tinubu’s administration, irrespective of their political affiliations in his second term aspiration.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by its President, Ambassador Pascal Oluchukwu, the group frowned at Umahi’s outright denial of marginalization of the South-east region, with the continuous detention of “when the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He argued that the Tinubu-led government has been trying Kanu despite several genuine calls that he should have been granted a state pardon.
“People of the region are yet to see any vehement commitments from leaders like Umahi to use their influence to persuade the Tinubu administration to fix the real issues affecting our people.
“A good case in point is the aloofness of leaders like Umahi and indeed, the South-east Governors in addressing the challenges faced by JAMB candidates in the entire region which all seems to every reasonable mind to be targeted at the people of the region.
“Ordinarily, if Umahi has the interest of the South-east at heart, he should have been addressing this growing concern on behalf of Ndigbo.”
Amb. Pouch ukwu further argued that despite Umahi’s claims, the South-east region is still plagued by critical infrastructure challenges, including deplorable road networks.
“We are aware that as a man insipidly desperate to impress his paymasters, Umahi is only interested in recouping gains and lots to be shared between him and his paymasters and not sincerely interested in actualizing the many bogus projects the administration has embarked upon such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway among others.
“To further drive home our points on the high level of deceit ongoing in the guise of ‘ambitious projects’ by the Tinubu-led government using Umahi as a conduit executioner, no existing road infrastructure in the South East region have been completed in nearly two years- from Enugu to Port Harcourt, Enugu-Onitsha, Ontisha-Owerri, Enugu to Abakaliki or Afikpo to Okigwe highways. It is visible to even the blind that works have been ongoing on some of the roads awarded for nearly two years, leaving road users with struggles to use only a section of these roads.
“We recall that the above sad scenario was responsible for the Ugwu Onyeama accident in Enugu that claimed several lives”.
The AEISCID while reacting to Umahi’s claim that all South-east governors are working for President Tinubu, said: “We wish to hint the Tinubu administration of the very fact that the same egoistical Umahi has no political relevance to command, influence or commandeer leaders of the South-east region on a political path to tow come 2027.
“The last we recall on his electoral outing was his collosal loss of his Ebonyi South Senatorial zone in 2023 where even as a sitting Governor, he couldn’t control a meagre five Local Government Areas in his Ebonyi South Senatorial district. Of course, we know how he allegedly used the influences of security agents and INEC’s top brass to be declared the winner of that Senatorial election he has manifestly lost before midday.
“In terms of political weight and influence, Tinubu ought to have known that Umahi weighs far below the average. From his reckless speeches to actions and inactions both then as a governor and even now a minister, no serious political elite in the South East region can be easily swayed or influenced by Umahi except, perhaps for the few cronies he has been servicing in his home State of Ebonyi. We ask; what was his achievement as the longest-serving Chairman of South East Governors Forum?”
The group while warning the Tinubu administration not to take Umahi’s words and promise seriously, said; “Umahi represents the greedy politician who is only deeply interested in filling his pockets and making all the gains he can make all for himself while trying to strategically position himself as a leader and a spokesperson of the South-east region he has zero influence on.”
