Umeh calls Igbo opposing Obi’s 2027 ambition enemies of South-East

File: Senator Victor Umeh

The Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has described any Igbo person opposed to the 2027 presidential ambition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi, as an “enemy” of the people of the South-East.

Umeh made the remarks on Saturday at an event organised by the Knights of St John International at St Patrick Catholic Church, Awka, Anambra State. A video of his comments went viral on Monday.

The senator described Obi as the “conscience” of the Igbo people in the 2027 election, warning that supporting another presidential candidate would amount to working against the region’s interests.

“I’m an Igbo activist; you people know me, and you hear my voice in the Senate on all issues of national importance. Peter is our conscience in this election.

“Any Igbo man who stands up to say we will not vote for Peter Obi, I’m telling you that he’s an enemy of Igbo people,” he said.

Umeh also cautioned Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, against allegedly working against Obi’s presidential ambition, saying the governor should use his office to serve the people rather than undermine his political rival.

The lawmaker claimed he played a major role in Soludo’s emergence as governor, adding that the office was held in trust for the people of the state.

“I have been hearing a lot of things going on in this state. This government in the state, I helped install it. Nobody came here as the governor of Anambra State since 2003 without my input.

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“This one that is serving, I was a principal contributor to his ascending to that office. He’s holding that office in trust for all of us. Anything he does in that office; he must discharge it with honour and nobility.

“It is not by sabotaging our own brother. I’m saying it because anybody who can see him should tell him. We don’t want fight but let him not commit abomination by wanting to destroy his brother in the name of politics,” he said.

The remarks came after Soludo and the All Progressives Grand Alliance adopted President Bola Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Soludo announced the endorsement on Friday at APGA’s campaign flag-off in Awka, saying the party would support Tinubu’s re-election bid and target 50 per cent of the votes in Anambra State.

The governor’s position puts him at odds with Obi, a former Anambra governor who is seeking the presidency on the NDC platform.

The Anambra State Government and Obi have also been involved in a public disagreement over his record as governor.

Umeh, who is a member of the NDC, attended Saturday’s event alongside Obi and other party members in Anambra.