Odita Sunday 
Tinubu Has Lifted Us, Says Umahi as Ebonyi Adopts President as Sole 2027 Candidate
By Odita Sunday
In a bold political declaration ahead of the 2027 general election, Ebonyi State on Monday threw its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, endorsing him as its sole presidential candidate, with Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, declaring that the state would not abandon a leader he said had delivered unprecedented federal presence and infrastructure to the South-East.
The endorsement was announced at a massive gathering held at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, attended by political leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders and party faithful from across the state.
Addressing the crowd, Umahi said the decision reflected the gratitude of Ebonyi people for what he described as transformational interventions by the Tinubu administration in the state and across the South-East.
“We are not going to make another mistake. The past belongs to accident of history,” Umahi declared.
According to the Minister, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has delivered strategic infrastructure projects that have altered the development trajectory of the region.
He cited a major federal road project in Ebonyi valued at approximately N445 billion.
“One single project, one, which is 123km only in Ebonyi state, is 445 billion naira.
“One single project running from Ndibe Beach down to Nbeke Ishieke, the boundary with Benue State. That is the project, Trans-Sahara project, and it is the top legacy project of the president,” Umahi said.
The Minister also listed the dualisation of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road and the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road among key projects aimed at improving mobility, economic growth and regional integration.
“Shall we talk about dualization of Enugu to Abakaliki, 118km, 183b. Shall we talk about dualization of Afikpo to Uturu to Okigwe, 193b, which is 64km,” he stated.
Umahi further pointed to bridge projects connecting communities and neighbouring states, including the Ofeeke crossing and the Itu Bridge, as evidence of renewed federal commitment to the region.
Reflecting on his previous years in office as Deputy Governor and Governor, Umahi contrasted past federal engagement with what he described as the current level of inclusion under Tinubu.
“This is just a demonstration. We will never, never, never abandon our own. We will never abandon the man who has lifted the state.
“I was deputy governor, I was governor. There was no single appointment at the federal level here. But now, you see all the appointments in Ebonyi State.
“You see all the projects of the governor. You see all the projects of President Tinubu. We are very grateful,” he said.
Governor Francis Nwifuru said the endorsement emerged from what he described as a collective assessment of President Tinubu’s performance, particularly in infrastructure delivery, economic reforms and inclusive governance.
He maintained that the South-East had benefited significantly from the Renewed Hope agenda and argued that the state should stand behind a leader who had shown commitment to the region.
The governor also secured endorsement for a second term in office, with stakeholders pointing to ongoing infrastructure projects, empowerment programmes, education initiatives and governance reforms as justification for their support.
Backing the resolutions reached at the event, Umahi formally endorsed both President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru for another term.
“And so I support the governor and the entire Ebonyi State in endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our sole candidate 2027 and endorsing Right Honorable Francis Nwifuru as the sole governorship candidate in Ebonyi State. Thank you very much.”
The gathering attracted an array of dignitaries including Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, members of the National Assembly, former ministers, party leaders and other prominent figures from within and outside the South-East.
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