The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has claimed that his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dealt a major blow to the party, adding that he remains committed to ensuring the party does not regain political strength in Ebonyi State.
Umahi made the statement on Saturday during an inspection of the Abakaliki-Afikpo section of the Cross River–Ebonyi–Benue–Abuja Trans-Saharan Highway project.
The former Ebonyi State governor also dismissed claims of a political coalition involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in the state, while describing Wike as a close friend and brother.
According to Umahi, there is no “Rainbow Coalition” structure operating in Ebonyi State.
“Wike is my good friend and brother, but there is no Rainbow Coalition in Ebonyi State. If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me, but his candidates cannot break our relationship,” he said.
Speaking about his defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umahi said his departure weakened the opposition party in the Southeast.
“I killed the PDP when I left PDP. Whether they are alive again, and if they are alive, we have to unalive them because the PDP did not treat the people of the Southeast well,” he stated.
He accused the PDP of failing to adequately recognise the contributions of the Southeast despite the region’s support for the party over the years.
“We supported the PDP, voted for presidents in the PDP, and when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They maltreated us, but we have hope in APC and all the candidates of APC in Ebonyi State,” Umahi added.
The minister said while political activities were welcome in Ebonyi State, any attempt to cause disorder would not be tolerated.
“My position and that of the governor is that anybody that wants to campaign in Ebonyi is free, but if you want to foment crisis, we will run you out of the state. Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State,” he said.
Umahi’s comments come amid ongoing political activities and alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
