Indications have emerged on how the Works Minister, David Umahi’s attempt to replicate Nyesom Wike’s ‘Rainbow Coalition’ for the 2027 general election in Ebonyi State hit the rocks following the withdrawal of leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) from the underground scheme.

Umahi, the immediate past governor of the state, had been serving as a political power broker and godfather after supporting Governor Francis Nwifuru and other politicians to win the 2023 general election in the state.

With eyes on the 2031 election cycle, when he plans to pair up with a possible Northern presidential runner, the Umahi mobilised men and materials to ensure that the ‘Obidient wave’ that characterised the 2023 polls did not disrupt his political lineup.

It was gathered that while the minister had wanted to ensure the emergence of his loyalists in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nwifuru maintained his assurance that all federal legislators should enjoy automatic return tickets.

As an alternative, the minister deployed his influence and reached out to leaders of the Labour Party (LP), the African Democratic Party (ADC), and NDC for accommodation of his preferred candidates in some strategic federal constituencies, including Afikpo North /Afikpo South; Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo, as well as Ebonyi Central and South Senatorial Districts.

For Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo, due to the automatic ticket principle of Nwifuru, the minister’s preferred candidate, Felix Igboke, who resigned from the governor’s cabinet, moved over to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he picked the House of Representatives ticket.

Also, in Afikpo North and South Federal Constituency, where the incumbent, Iduma Igariwey Enwo, crossed over from PDP, Umahi’s former Chief of Staff, Joseph Ekuma Nkama, stayed back in APC to slug it out with Igariwey, while another ally of the minister, Eni Uduma Chima, avoided trouble and joined the PDP.

Attempts by Umahi to ensure that the NDC fielded a weak contender against Senator Anthony Ani instead of Linus Okorie for the Ebonyi South Senatorial race, and the replacement of Umahi’s former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Bernard Odoh, were rejected.

Against ploys to deny him a second term, Senator Kenneth Eze rode back on the automatic ticket offer of Nwifuru to deny Umahi’s ally, Architect Christian Asaga Nwali (C-Sagas), the APC senatorial ticket. Nwali, who retains the minister’s endorsement, moved over to NDC to ventilate his senatorial aspiration. (The Guardian)

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