Umahi pushes unity in Ebonyi, targets 95% votes for Tinubu
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has called for unity among political stakeholders in Ebonyi State, urging alignment with the State leadership to secure over 95 percent of the
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has called for unity among political stakeholders in Ebonyi State, urging alignment with the State leadership to secure over 95 percent of the vote for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
Umahi offered assurance while intervening in a disagreement among political actors in Ebonyi Central, stressing that all decisions ahead of the next election cycle must prioritize a coordinated strategy to secure support for the President.
The intervention followed a video that surfaced on April 24, 2026, showing a dispute over the succession to the Ebonyi Central senatorial seat between the incumbent senator, Ken Eze, and a National Assembly aspirant from Ikwo Local Government Area, Chief Christian Asaga Nwali, during a burial event.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works (Media), Francis Nwaze, on Sunday, in a statement, concerned by the development, the Minister convened a meeting with both figures on April 26 to address the situation and restore calm within the political fold.
Speaking after the meeting, Umahi said unity remained critical to the state’s electoral objectives, noting that internal disagreements should not undermine broader political goals.
“They are one people, and we wouldn’t allow anything to divide them,” he said, adding that the President had been adopted as the sole candidate in the state.
He linked the call for cohesion to ongoing Federal projects in Ebonyi, stating that the current administration's level of intervention required a strong electoral response from the state.
“And any decision we’re going to make concerning the National Assembly will revolve around getting maximum votes for President Bola Tinubu because what the president is doing in Ebonyi State, we have never had any Federal project of even 10 percent of that magnitude,” he said.
The Minister urged stakeholders to resolve differences through established leadership structures, directing the parties involved in the dispute to engage the State governor, Francis Nwifuru, along with selected leaders from the affected areas.
“I have advised them that we have a governor in the state; they should gather leaders and meet the governor for a resolution,” he said.
Umahi also pointed to earlier zoning understandings on the Ebonyi Central seat, while noting that political decisions must reflect current realities and collective interest.
“Politics is dynamic; it is the right of everyone to contest, but the decision is beyond them,” he said.
He added that consultations would continue to produce consensus candidates where possible, in line with efforts to maintain stability within the party.
“It is a very strategic move to arrive at consensus candidates and carry the people along,” he said.
The Minister further warned against actions that could destabilize the State’s political structure, reiterating support for the governor’s position.
Earlier, Senators Eze and Nwali both welcomed the intervention and urged their supporters to avoid actions that could escalate tensions, particularly on social media.
They emphasized unity and respect for leadership as the process leading up to the party primaries unfolds.
