Ebonyi indigenes threaten to sue Umahi over zoning, anti-Obi remarks

ABUJA: The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) has threatened legal action against the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over his reported comments on political zoning and the 2027 presidential ambition of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The association’s president, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, said in a statement on Monday that the group had given Umahi 72 hours to withdraw the comments and apologise to Obi, Ebonyi indigenes and the wider Igbo community.

AEISCID said its position followed a viral video in which Umahi reportedly discussed opposition to Obi’s presidential ambition and the zoning of political offices in Ebonyi State.

In the video, Umahi was quoted as saying that some Ebonyi leaders had been criticised for declaring their intention not to support Obi in the 2027 presidential election.

The association also said Umahi questioned whether Obi, while serving as governor of Anambra State, had appointed any Ebonyi indigene into his administration.

On zoning, Umahi was quoted as saying that it was not the turn of the South-East to produce the president or Ebonyi South to produce the state governor.

He was also quoted as saying that he intended to discuss the governorship ambition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, with a view to persuading him to step down in line with the zoning arrangement.

AEISCID criticised the minister’s reported comments, arguing that political zoning should not be used to discourage individuals from pursuing elective offices.

The association recalled the 2015 governorship succession contest in Ebonyi, when Umahi pursued his ambition despite the reported preference of the then governor, Chief Martin Elechi, for the then Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, who is from Ebonyi South.

The group also urged Odii to continue his political campaign and present his policy proposals to the electorate, saying voters should determine the outcome of the 2027 governorship election.

AEISCID called on President Bola Tinubu to caution members of his cabinet against making comments that could heighten political tensions.

It said public officeholders should promote peace, unity and respect for differing political opinions, particularly during the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

The association maintained that political disagreements should be addressed through democratic engagement rather than statements that could deepen divisions among Nigerians.