The hashtag #Umahi has gained momentum across social media as debates intensify over Senator David Umahi’s political position on the future of the South-East.
His public call for the region to support President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027, alongside his statement that it is “not yet the turn” of the South-East to produce a president, has reopened old wounds around marginalisation and representation. Umahi maintains that strategic alignment with the federal government and ongoing infrastructure projects will bring long-term benefits to the region.
To his supporters, this approach represents realism, access to power, and development over confrontation. However, many critics, especially young people and civil society voices view his stance as dismissive of the South-East’s political aspirations. Online, #Umahi has become a symbol of a larger struggle: political pragmatism versus regional pride, development promises versus identity politics.
Critics argue that no single politician should speak for the entire region, while supporters insist that cooperation with the centre is the smartest path forward. Beyond Umahi himself, the tension highlights a deeper issue in Eastern Nigeria: a widening gap between political elites and the grassroots. As reactions continue to pour in, one thing is clear: the conversation about power, inclusion, and the South-East’s place in Nigeria is far from over.
