Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has made a bold declaration of loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating unequivocally that he has placed the President’s interest above his own, his family’s, and his associates’.
Speaking in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Monday, Umahi asserted that after God, his complete allegiance lies with President Tinubu and the Nigerian people. The former governor of Ebonyi State was addressing a gathering of stakeholders from the South-East when he made the striking pronouncement.
“I pray every day that if I place myself, my family, and my friends over God, over President Tinubu, and over Nigerians, let God not answer my prayers,” Umahi was quoted as saying.
The statement, first reported by The Merit Newspaper, has since gained wide traction in both political and media circles, stirring conversation about political loyalty and public service in Nigeria.
Umahi, a prominent figure in the South-East and one of the few from the region holding a top ministerial position, has been a vocal supporter of President Tinubu since defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2020. He was appointed Minister of Works in 2023, overseeing key national infrastructure projects under Tinubu’s administration.
He reiterated that President Tinubu’s commitment to national development and equity is what keeps him firmly aligned with the current administration.
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“Tinubu means well for Nigeria,” Umahi told the crowd. “If I betray that trust and commitment, may heaven bear me witness.”
Political analysts have interpreted the minister’s comments as both an expression of loyalty and a strategic message to consolidate the South-East’s stake in the current federal government. It also comes at a time when the administration is facing criticism over the cost of living and the implementation of reforms.
Umahi’s remarks may resonate with core APC loyalists, but they have also sparked debate over the role of personal loyalty in governance.
The Merit Newspaper report has amplified the attention on the minister’s pledge, with many Nigerians reacting to the spiritual weight he attached to his political commitment.
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As the 2027 general elections slowly begin to form on the political horizon, statements such as these are likely to shape narratives about allegiance, performance, and the expectations of public office holders.
