ABUJA — A fierce political firestorm has erupted following a bold prediction by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, that the South-East region is prepared to deliver a staggering 90% of its votes to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has wasted no time in punching holes in the Minister’s forecast, labeling it “false hope” and a “deliberate attempt to mislead the Presidency” about the true political temperature in Igboland.
The 90% “Payback” Theory
The controversy began over the weekend when Umahi, during an inspection of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, claimed that the South-East has “never had it this good” in terms of federal infrastructure. He argued that the multi-billion naira road projects currently crisscrossing the five eastern states have effectively ended the “marginalisation” narrative.
“The South-East will deliver 90% of its votes to Mr. President in 2027,” Umahi declared with confidence. “We must tell our brother [Peter Obi] that it is not yet our turn. We are grateful for the massive projects, and the only way to say thank you is at the ballot.”
“You Are Selling Smoke”—ADC Hits Back
In a stinging rebuttal on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the ADC dismissed the Minister’s statement as “political sycophancy” aimed at securing his ministerial seat rather than representing the people’s will.
The party argued that Umahi is disconnected from the daily struggles of the South-East, where the high cost of living and persistent security concerns have overshadowed any “thank you” sentiment for road construction. “You cannot buy a whole region’s conscience with asphalt,” a spokesperson for the party noted. “90% is a fantasy that exists only in the Minister’s imagination.”
“Who is He Speaking For?” — Nigerians React with Fury
The Minister’s comments have triggered a wave of biting criticism from Nigerians across social media and in the streets of Enugu, Aba, and Onitsha. For many, the 90% claim is not just unrealistic; it is an insult to their current economic reality.
- “The Activism of the Appointee”:Â “Umahi is only talking to protect his job,” remarked one popular analyst on X (formerly Twitter). “He knows the reality on the ground is far from his 90% fantasy. If he were so confident, he wouldn’t need to ‘warn’ the people against Peter Obi.”
- “We Can’t Eat Roads”: Residents in the South-East expressed frustration that the Minister is discussing 2027 while the region grapples with record-high inflation and a crashing Naira. “A bag of rice is over ₦100,000, and our brother is talking about 90% votes for a road we haven’t even finished driving on?” a trader in Ariaria Market, Aba, queried.
- “Selective Development”: Critics pointed out that while some federal roads are being fixed, others like the Onitsha–Benin expressway remain a death trap. They argue that 90% support is impossible for a government that many in the region still view with deep suspicion following the 2023 electoral fallout.
The Road to 2027
As the political chess game begins in earnest, the clash between Umahi and the ADC highlights the high stakes for the South-East. While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is desperate to flip the region, the opposition remains convinced that the “Obidient” spirit and the quest for equity will define the next election.
For now, the Minister remains firm in his “90% project,” but for the millions of Nigerians facing a hungry 2026, his words feel like a very far-off and expensive dream.
