Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed reports of a “rainbow coalition” operating in Ebonyi State, insisting that the state remains firmly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Umahi spoke on Friday while inspecting section two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway project in Ado, Benue State, where he said Ebonyi’s political structure remains committed to the APC and its candidates.
The minister was reacting to political activities surrounding the coalition led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, which is mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Umahi said he was not aware of any candidates associated with Wike operating within the state and insisted that such political interests would not alter his existing relationship with the FCT minister.
“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.”
The former Ebonyi governor said politicians were free to enter the state and campaign, but warned them against making statements capable of creating tension or division.
“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.”
Umahi also warned against any attempt to cause unrest in Ebonyi, stressing that political activities should not be allowed to threaten peace in the state.
“Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi state.”
The minister further criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the party failed to reciprocate the support it received from the South-East when the region backed its presidential candidates in previous elections.
Umahi argued that despite the South-East voting for PDP presidential candidates, the party did not meet what he described as its obligation to the region when the opportunity arose.
“We supported the PDP. We voted for presidents in the PDP. And when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They mistreated us.”
His comments come as political parties and alliances intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with different groups seeking to build support across the country.
