We Are Ready To Negotiate Nnamdi Kanu’s Release – Umahi

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, has reaffirmed the willingness of the South East geo-political Zone to support the second term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.

This is as he stoutly denied alleged growing insinuations that the region has made the release of detained  leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a precondition for its support of the President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid.

At a Media interactive session on Friday night, July 4, 2025, in Lagos, Umahi the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, noted that the visible achievements of the President within his two years in office will be the major driver of the region’s support for his return efforts.

According to him, much as the South East stakeholders are ever ready to negotiate the freedom of the leader of the Biafran group, it has never been, and will not be the basis for the region’s decision to queue behind the President in his quest for a second tenure in office.

“We are willing to negotiate his ( Nnamdi Kanu) release. But no one should make it a condition because the President did not put him there”, Umahi noted.

However, while describing President Tinubu as a listening leader, Umahi expressed unwavering faith that Kanu’s release will be achieved through divine grace and dialogue, and not through pressure or politics.

“President Tinubu may not be perfect, but he is doing most things right.

Look at where he picked up the economy from. The international community has confidence in his reforms. That is why we are getting support for our projects”, he stated.

According to Umahi, the President, since mounting the saddle two years ago has prioritized the rehabilitation and execution of key infrastructural projects in the South-east, including even those abandoned by previous administrations.

While dismissing the allegation of marginalization of the region in Federal appointments and other Government projects, the Works Minister insisted that President Tinubu has done more for the South-east than any past regime in the country.

This is just as he sued for  unity among the region’s leaders, irrespective of their political party affiliations.

He highlighted the cordial working relationship between the Governors of the Zone and the President regardless of their political party association.

On his political future and ambition, Umahi informed that his priority for now is not to run for the office of the President, but on how to ensure the reelection of President Tinubu so that he will complete his reengineering efforts.

“I will not run. I will work for my boss, President Tinubu. APC is the path to achieving what we want. The South-east now has a voice at the centre. We Will not return to Egypt”, Umahi emphasized.