2027: Umahi, Ebonyi APC disagree over alleged adoption of consensus candidates 

… declare support for Tinubu, Nwifuru’s re-election 

By, Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The Minister of works, David Umahi and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Ebonyi State chapter on Friday solemnly adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governor Francis Nwifuru as the sole candidate in the forthcoming 2027 general election.

Similarly, the duo, however disagreed on the adoption of conscious candidates by the leadership of APC in the state for the positions of the national and state Assemblies.

Umahi, in a statement signed and made available to newsmen by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nweze faulted the adoption of conscious candidates by the party leadership, and therefore, recommended for the adoption of direct primaries.

He, however, stressed the importance of internal democracy and peaceful engagement among party members, encouraging the governor to lead a process that prioritizes consensus where possible.

“Dialogue and negotiation should be adopted by the governor as to possibly reach consensus among all aspirants, and where consensus is not reached, then direct primaries must take place,” he added.

“I have spoken to Mr President and our governor and there was no instruction from Mr President that those who want to contest elections in Ebonyi State should be shut off from buying forms,” he stated.

While affirming the democratic right of aspirants, the former Ebonyi State Governor and Minister of Works reiterated his firm political stance within the state, throwing his weight behind the president and governor.

“However, in Ebonyi State, my support is to the governor as we have adopted him as sole candidate. This is the position of Mr President nationwide and our governor agrees with me,” Umahi said.

In a swift reaction, the leadership of APC in a statement signed and made available to newsmen by the State Assistant Publicity Secretary, Arum Kenechukwu, slammed Umahi for expressing strong disapproval on the adoption of conscious by the party in the state.

According to the party; “Ebonyi APC expresses deep concern and strong disapproval of aspects of the Minister’s remarks which, if left unchecked, could destabilize the unity and discipline painstakingly built within the party.

“It is both surprising and unacceptable that statements credited to a leader of such stature appear to contradict the very structure and cohesion he helped establish.

“The party notes that the publication titled “UMAHI RESTATES SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT TINUBU, NWIFURU, URGES CONSENSUS OR DIRECT PRIMARIES FOR PARTY UNITY IN EBONYI” contains suggestions that could be interpreted as encouraging aspirants to sidestep the authority of the Governor, who remains the recognized leader of the APC in Ebonyi State. 

“Such a position, the party insists, is not only inappropriate but also capable of igniting disunity and internal crisis.

“Ebonyi APC stresses that urging aspirants to procure nomination forms or pursue political ambitions without the knowledge and endorsement of the Governor amounts to a direct affront to party discipline and an invitation to chaos.

“It warns that any such guidance undermines established leadership.

While referencing the Minister’s claim that there was no directive from the President restricting aspirants from purchasing forms, the party cautions that this must not be misconstrued as a license for indiscipline or disregard for the state leadership structure.

“The party also raises serious concerns about the intent and credibility of the publication, suggesting the possibility of misrepresentation by the Minister’s media handlers. 

“It describes the tone and content as provocative and capable of fanning the embers of discord, particularly by creating the false impression of disunity between the President and the Governor.

“Ebonyi APC reiterates that all political activities within the state must be conducted strictly under the guidance and with the full endorsement of the Governor as the party leader in the state” they noted.