2027: Umahi Declares ‘No Vacancy’ in Aso Rock, Ebonyi Government House

….Says Tinubu, Nwifuru must win polls 

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared that President Bola Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru must secure second terms in office in 2027, expressing confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record an overwhelming victory in the state.

Umahi, who is the Deputy Director-General in charge of Infrastructure, Mobilization and Sensitization of the Tinubu/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, made the declaration on Sunday in Abakaliki during a South-East sensitization campaign covering Ebonyi North and Central senatorial zones.

The former Ebonyi governor described the state as a stronghold of the APC, insisting that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa or the Ebonyi Government House ahead of the 2027 general election.

He also dismissed claims by opposition figures that they would defeat the ruling party in the state, describing such expectations as unrealistic.

“President Bola Tinubu is going to win a second tenure. Governor Francis Nwifuru is going to win a second tenure,” Umahi declared.

He added that the APC was preparing for an aggressive and grassroots-oriented campaign to consolidate its political support across the state.

“ The style of our campaign this time is going to be very dynamic. We will knock on the doors of our fathers and mothers at 6 a.m. and deliver our campaign messages to them,” he said.

Umahi expressed confidence that the party would receive substantial financial and logistical support from wealthy Ebonyi indigenes, youths, women and elders committed to the re-election of Tinubu and Nwifuru.

“Ebonyi is completely APC. Governor Nwifuru has friends and Ebonyi people who are very rich. We have a lot of Ebonyi youths, elders and women who will bring money to support the APC government. There is nothing to fear about,” he said.

The minister further declared that the party would work towards winning 95 per cent of polling units in Ebonyi State, rather than settling for a lower electoral target.

“We are not looking for an 80 per cent win; we are looking to win 95 per cent of our polling units, and we will go for it. We will campaign for it and educate our people for it,” he stated.

He also vowed that APC leaders and supporters would defend the records of Tinubu, Nwifuru and other party candidates, arguing that the state had benefited from the Federal Government’s policies and infrastructure projects.

According to him, the ongoing road and bridge projects being executed by the Federal Government would further strengthen public support for Tinubu’s administration.

Umahi cited the Ndibe Beach–Onueke axis and other sections of the trans-regional road network extending through parts of Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu, Kogi and Nasarawa states as examples of infrastructure projects he said would improve connectivity and economic activities across the South-East and beyond.

He said the projects, alongside the planned completion of the Oferekpe Road and its bridge, would improve transportation and strengthen links between Ebonyi and neighbouring communities.

“What this means is that anywhere you are in Ebonyi State, from Afikpo and other parts of the South-East, you can get to Abuja within three hours. There is nothing greater than that,” he said.

Umahi maintained that the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure programme had demonstrated its commitment to the South-East, urging residents to support the President’s re-election bid.

He also warned opposition politicians against underestimating the APC’s political strength in Ebonyi, insisting that the party would adopt more strategic and effective campaign methods ahead of the elections.

In his remarks, a traditional ruler, Sunday Oketa, assured the minister that Ebonyi State would deliver its votes for all APC candidates in the 2027 general election.