Umahi Restates Support For Tinubu, Nwifuru; Advocates Consensus or Direct Primaries For Party Unity In Ebonyi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, while calling for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Umahi addressed ongoing political developments in Ebonyi State, urging party members and aspirants to embrace dialogue, discipline, and cohesion in the interest of the party.

The former Ebonyi State governor disclosed that he had consulted with both President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru, clarifying that there was no directive from the President barring aspirants from purchasing nomination forms.

“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,” Umahi stated.

While affirming the democratic rights of aspirants, the minister reiterated his political alignment within the state, maintaining his support for both the President and the 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,” he said.

Umahi, however, emphasized the need for internal democracy and peaceful engagement among party stakeholders. He urged Governor Nwifuru to champion a process that prioritizes consensus among aspirants where possible.

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

The minister further clarified that his political loyalty is firmly aligned with the President and the Governor, rather than with any individual aspirant.

“I have no interest in any aspirant other than my support for the governor and the President. Consensus is only among aspirants supervised by the leader of the party, the governor,” he said.

He underscored the importance of unity within the APC, noting that the party’s strength lies in collective effort and shared commitment.

“This position is to keep the party we have suffered to build together and ensure that we are united to make big votes for all our candidates, especially the President and Governor. No one person can do this alone. We need one another,” Umahi concluded.