A pro-Tinubu solidarity protest swept through parts of Ebonyi State on Tuesday, as supporters of President Bola Tinubu took to the streets to declare their backing for his administration ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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The protesters, reportedly numbering more than 5,000, marched through Abakaliki and other parts of the state, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards bearing messages such as ‘Tinubu Beyond 2027’, ‘Tinubu Must Stay’ and ‘We Believe in Tinubu’.
The demonstration, organised under the aegis of the Ebonyi United Forum, was described by the organisers as a counter-protest against what they called an alleged anti-Tinubu campaign by opposition elements.
Key Highlights
- More than 5,000 people reportedly participate in a pro-Tinubu protest across parts of Ebonyi State.
- Demonstrators display placards declaring ‘Tinubu Must Stay’ ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
- Works Minister David Umahi praises the protesters and accuses opposition figures of sponsoring anti-Tinubu demonstrations.
- Ebonyi United Forum leader Chinedu Nwali says the state will resist attempts to disrupt Tinubu’s administration.
- Protest organisers pledge support for Tinubu, Governor Francis Nwifuru and Umahi.
Umahi Accuses Opposition of Sponsoring Anti-Tinubu Protest
Addressing the protesters in Abakaliki, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, commended residents for turning out in support of Tinubu.
Umahi praised the demonstration as peaceful and accused some political opportunists of sponsoring protests against the President to compensate for what he described as their declining political acceptance in parts of the North and other areas of the country.
The minister argued that Nigerians had little reason to protest against Tinubu, whom he credited with repositioning the country through economic reforms.
He also said the opposition lacked a clear political direction and had little to campaign against because of what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
However, Umahi did not identify those allegedly sponsoring the anti-Tinubu protests or provide evidence to support the allegation.
Ebonyi United Forum Declares Support for Tinubu
The leader of the pro-Tinubu demonstration, Comrade Chinedu Nwali, said the group organised the march to express its opposition to what it described as distractions by opposition elements against the President.
Nwali said the protest was also intended to educate residents, particularly young people, about what the group considered the gains of Tinubu’s administration.
He declared that Ebonyi residents would defend the President’s administration against what he described as political distractions and campaigns of calumny.
According to him, the state would not tolerate attempts to undermine Tinubu, Governor Francis Nwifuru or Umahi.
Nwali further said the solidarity march was intended to demonstrate that Ebonyi State had made its political position clear ahead of the 2027 elections.
Protesters Say Ebonyi Will Stand With Tinubu
Explaining the group’s position, Nwali said Ebonyi residents were prepared to support Tinubu because of projects and interventions he said had benefited the South-East through Umahi.
He said:
“If other States are sitting on the fence, we Ebonyians are not going to sit on the fence, we must make our stand known because we are people who show appreciation to the numerous projects Mr. President has used our son to do in the South East and Nigeria in general.”
Nwali described the demonstration as a warning against what he called political distractions, adding that the group would resist such activities through lawful and morally acceptable means.
He also defended Umahi against criticism from political opponents, describing the minister as an indigene of Ebonyi who deserved the support of the people.
The protest leader further declared that the group believed Tinubu’s leadership remained in the interest of the South-East and Nigeria.
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2027 Presidential Election Campaign Takes Shape
The demonstration highlights the growing political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with supporters and opponents of the Tinubu administration seeking to make their positions known.
While the Ebonyi United Forum used the march to declare support for the President, Umahi’s comments also reflected the political divisions surrounding the administration’s economic reforms and its prospects for re-election.
The protest organisers maintained that Ebonyi State would support Tinubu and Nwifuru, although the demonstration does not, on its own, establish the position of the wider electorate in the state.
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