David Umahi, Minister of Works and former governor of Ebonyi State, has categorically denied the presence of the 'Rainbow Coalition' in his home state, stating that Ebonyi remains firmly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. The declaration, made during an inspection of Section Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway in Benue State on Friday, addressed growing speculation about the coalition’s influence in Ebonyi. Umahi emphasized that no Wike-backed candidates had been identified in the state, asserting, 'If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. His candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship. There is no Rainbow Coalition in Ebonyi State.'
The Rainbow Coalition, promoted by Wike as a multi-party platform to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, allows politicians to retain party affiliations while making independent choices in governorship and legislative contests. However, the arrangement has drawn criticism from some APC governors, who fear it could undermine party unity. Umahi, who defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in 2020, revisited the circumstances of his switch, accusing the PDP of neglecting 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.
Umahi also reiterated his support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign, linking his endorsement to the administration’s infrastructure initiatives and reforms. 'I believe in President Bola Tinubu. I believe he’s the one called by God. I believe in his vision and reforms. I’m very proud of working for him,' he stated. The minister dismissed claims that his role as Works Minister had concentrated federal projects in the South-East, arguing that such efforts were part of a national infrastructure program. 'I’m not on my own. The President is my boss. So where will he be when I corner all projects to the Southeast?' he asked, adding that the South-East would not be last in federal project distribution.
In addition to political statements, Umahi directed contractors working on the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway to accelerate construction on Section Two and avoid demolishing buildings along the existing route until the Federal Government reviews the alignment. 'No building should be touched. Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it. So you just have to continue your work and go around those buildings until we come to look at it,' he instructed. He also urged engineers to resolve challenges at the Ado Bridge, stating, 'I do not believe in engineering that anything is impossible.'
The remarks come amid broader political dynamics in Nigeria, including the APC’s internal debates over coalition strategies and the federal government’s infrastructure agenda. Umahi’s comments underscore the complex interplay between regional interests, party loyalty, and national political goals. His emphasis on maintaining APC unity in Ebonyi highlights the state’s strategic importance in the 2027 elections, particularly given its South-Eastern location and historical political alignments.
The minister’s statements also touched on electoral conduct, as he warned against hate speech and activities that could destabilize the state. 'Anybody that wants to campaign, come and campaign. But don’t dish out hate speeches and you want that we should lay a red carpet for you. We will not do that,' he said. Umahi reiterated his stance against 'fomenting crisis in Ebonyi State,' signaling a firm approach to political tensions. His remarks reflect a broader effort to balance party loyalty with regional representation, as well as the challenges of managing cross-party alliances in a polarized political landscape.
Umahi’s position aligns with the APC’s broader strategy to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 elections, even as internal divisions persist. His emphasis on Tinubu’s leadership and infrastructure agenda underscores the party’s focus on economic and developmental narratives. Meanwhile, the absence of a Rainbow Coalition in Ebonyi suggests that the state’s political landscape remains firmly within the APC’s orbit, at least for now. The minister’s directives on the Superhighway project further highlight his dual role as a federal official and a regional leader, navigating the demands of national infrastructure development and local governance.
The article also notes other developments, including the Federal Government’s target of creating one million export-linked jobs by 2030, the Edo Special Criminal Court’s upcoming judgment in a kidnapping case, and calls from APC chieftains for improved social interventions. These issues reflect the multifaceted challenges facing Nigeria’s political and economic landscape as the 2027 elections approach.