The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has criticised the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, accusing him of giving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu what it described as “false hope” ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The party was reacting to remarks credited to Umahi during a project inspection tour along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, where he reportedly stated that the South-East geopolitical zone would deliver 90 percent support for Tinubu’s re-election bid. Umahi also reportedly said it was not yet the region’s turn to produce the President and warned that failing to back Tinubu could be detrimental to the zone.
In a statement signed by the Enugu ADC Media Team and its national coordinator of ADC Like-Minds, Comrade Adolphus Ude, the party faulted the minister’s comments, describing them as misleading and detached from political realities in the South-East.
The party argued that rather than offering optimistic projections, Umahi should outline tangible achievements of the current administration in the region since 2023 that would justify such electoral confidence.
“Umahi is giving Mr. President false hope that the South-East will massively support his re-election. Tinubu would be mistaken to rely on such assurances,” the statement said.
The Enugu ADC also challenged the minister’s claim that the current administration has addressed marginalisation in the South-East, alleging instead that exclusion has worsened under the present government.
Citing the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, the party noted that Tinubu secured minimal votes across the five South-East states — Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo — and insisted that there has been no significant shift in political sentiment to suggest a dramatic turnaround in 2027.
The ADC further alleged that the South-East has been underrepresented in federal appointments and infrastructure allocation, claiming that the region has fewer substantive ministerial positions compared to some other states.
Addressing Umahi’s comment that it is not yet the South-East’s turn to produce the President, the party described the position as inconsistent, pointing out that he had previously contested for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress in 2023.
The statement also referenced the growing political realignments in the region, including the involvement of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, suggesting that the South-East political landscape remains fluid ahead of 2027.