Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has declared that he “killed” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when he left the party and vowed to ensure it remains inactive in Ebonyi State, where he hails from. Speaking during an inspection of the Abakaliki-Afikpo section of the Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Abuja Trans-Saharan Highway, Umahi made strong statements about his political stance and loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He emphasized that the PDP failed to reciprocate the support given by Southeastern Nigerians, particularly in Ebonyi, during their time in power.
Umahi described Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as his “good friend and brother,” despite recent political tensions between the two parties. He clarified that while Wike may have candidates running in Ebonyi State, there is no formal Rainbow Coalition presence in the state. “If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me,” Umahi said, adding that even if such candidates exist, they would not affect his personal relationship with Wike.
He further stated that the PDP’s treatment of Southeastern Nigerians was unjust, especially after years of electoral support. “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,” Umahi said. This, he argued, justified his decision to leave the party and align with the APC, which he believes offers better prospects for the region.
Umahi also affirmed his commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Ebonyi State. He stressed that anyone wishing to campaign in the state is free to do so, but warned against any attempt to incite violence or crisis. “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,” he declared. He made it clear that no one would be allowed to undermine peace in the state under his watch.
The minister’s remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of upcoming elections, with various parties mobilizing supporters across Nigeria. His comments reflect growing regional alignments within the APC and a firm stance against what he sees as political betrayal by the PDP. As Ebonyi State prepares for electoral contests, Umahi’s words signal a determined effort to consolidate APC dominance and prevent any resurgence of PDP influence in the area. The political landscape in Southeast Nigeria continues to evolve, and Umahi’s leadership in Ebonyi remains a key factor in shaping its direction.
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