By Our Reporter
… Political tension is building in Ebonyi as Minister David Umahi dismisses reports of a Wike-backed coalition in the state, while the PDP demands clarification over a statement it says threatened the party’s political survival.
In Ebonyi State, the 2027 political battle is already beginning to take shape—not necessarily through rallies or campaign posters, but through increasingly sharp exchanges between political camps.
At the centre of the latest dispute is Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State Governor, Senator David Umahi, and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While Umahi has dismissed reports that a political “Rainbow Coalition” linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is taking root in Ebonyi, the PDP has challenged another statement attributed to him, asking the minister to explain what the party described as disturbing language.
Umahi spoke during the weekend while inspecting Section Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway at Ado in Benue State.
Asked about his relationship with Wike and reports of a possible coalition in Ebonyi ahead of the 2027 general elections, Umahi said he was unaware of any Wike-backed candidates in the state.
«“If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. And his candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship. There is no rainbow coalition in Ebonyi State.”»
His comments came amid wider political discussions surrounding Wike’s coalition initiative, which the FCT minister has associated with mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election while allowing politicians to maintain their respective party affiliations.
But in Ebonyi, Umahi said the political structure remained firmly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former governor also revisited his decision to leave the PDP for the APC in 2020, arguing that the PDP failed to adequately recognise what he described as the political interests of the South-East.
“We supported PDP. We voted for presidents in PDP. And when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They maltreated us,” he said.
Despite his opposition to what he described as hate speech and actions capable of threatening peace, Umahi said politicians were free to come into Ebonyi and campaign.
“Anybody that wants to campaign, come and campaign. But don’t dish out hate speeches and you want to take those speeches, and you want that we should lay a red carpet for you. We will not do that. Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State,” he said.
PDP demands clarification
The exchange took another turn when the Ebonyi PDP reacted to a statement attributed to Umahi concerning the party.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Prince Darlington Onwe, alleged that Umahi said he had “killed PDP” and that if the party attempted to regain political relevance, “we will unalive it.”
The PDP described the expression as unacceptable and demanded that the minister explain what he meant.
Onwe argued that political parties are organisations made up of citizens and cannot simply be “killed” by an individual politician.
“The PDP is a political organisation, not an individual. It cannot be killed or unalive by any politician,” he said.
The party said political disagreements should be fought through ideas, policies, programmes and records rather than language that could heighten tension.
It also pointed to Umahi’s own political journey, noting that he governed Ebonyi under the PDP before defecting to the APC in 2020.
According to the party, his political history demonstrates that individual politicians may leave political platforms, but the parties themselves can continue to exist.
The PDP also reaffirmed the right of its members, including its governorship candidate, Chief Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, to participate in the 2027 electoral process.
It urged its supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while calling on political leaders and security agencies to pay attention to statements that could increase political tension.
Umahi defends Tinubu, infrastructure projects
Away from the political exchanges, Umahi also defended his support for President Tinubu and the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme.
The minister rejected claims that his position had enabled him to concentrate federal projects in the South-East.
“I saw on social media where they say I cornered all projects to Southeast. That is very wonderful. But we have the publication of all projects ongoing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so they darken counsel without knowledge,” he said.
Umahi stressed that he was implementing projects approved by the President.
“I’m not on my own. The President is my boss. So where will he be when I corner all projects to Southeast?” he asked.
He acknowledged that the South-East might not rank first, second or third in the distribution of federal projects, but maintained that the region would not be left behind.
Umahi also explained his support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid, citing the administration’s reforms and infrastructure projects.
“What gave rise to this is because I believe in President Bola Tinubu. I believe that he’s the one called by God. I believe in his vision. I believe in his reforms,” he said.
He argued that continuity was important for major infrastructure projects that could take several years to complete.
“If, God forbid, another person says he’s President, all these projects will be stalled. And I don’t think Ebonyi wants their projects to be stalled,” Umahi said.
Superhighway project gets fresh directive
During the inspection of Section Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway, Umahi directed contractors to accelerate work and open additional work fronts.
He also asked engineers to address challenges surrounding the Ado Bridge.
But one instruction stood out: buildings along the existing alignment should not be demolished until the Federal Government reviews the route.
“My directive is that no building should be touched. Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it,” he said.
For now, the political disagreement between Umahi and the Ebonyi PDP adds another layer to the early manoeuvring ahead of 2027, as political actors position themselves and test the strength of alliances across party lines.
The immediate question in Ebonyi is whether the reported “Rainbow Coalition” will remain a political talking point—or eventually become a reality on the ground.
