How Uzodimma and Umahi Stopped Tinubu From Conceding Senate Presidency To The South East

As calls for inclusiveness in governance and fair representation across Nigeria grow stronger, new revelations have emerged suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not originally responsible for the exclusion of the South East from the Senate Presidency in the power-sharing arrangement of his administration.

According to a former South West governor who spoke in a private gathering with select Igbo politicians, President Tinubu had, in principle, conceded the Senate Presidency to the South East. The ex-governor explained that Tinubu, known for balancing religious and political considerations, wanted to ensure fairness after the South East was denied the presidential ticket.

He was quoted as saying, “Asiwaju is a fair-minded man. Look at his wife, a Christian and pastor, while himself is a Muslim. Let me shock you, Asiwaju had conceded the Senate Presidency to your people in principle but the two governors from your place under APC at that time dissuaded him.”

Records show that at the time, the only two APC governors from the South East were Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Engr. David Umahi of Ebonyi State. Reports now suggest that both men worked against their own region to prevent the office from being zoned to the South East.

Ironically, both Uzodimma and Umahi are now lobbying President Tinubu for the same position. Umahi is locked in a political battle with his own Senator in a bid to replace him and become Senate President. Uzodimma, on the other hand, is said to be relying on what has been dubbed the “Omuma Magic” or “Ben Johnson Way” to secure a Senate seat and position himself for the coveted role.

This revelation comes against the backdrop of a communique earlier issued by South East senators-elect led by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. They had warned President Tinubu against imposing a candidate from the South-South, stressing that it would only deepen feelings of marginalisation. They argued that since the South East was denied the presidential ticket, it was only just for the region to be compensated with the Senate Presidency.

Political observers also recall a similar episode during the 9th National Assembly leadership tussle, where Senator Rochas Okorocha was alleged to have blocked Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba’s chances of becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives. At the time, Okorocha was said to have wanted to remain the undisputed APC leader in the South East.

The recurring pattern paints a picture of internal sabotage within Igbo leadership, where personal ambition often overshadows regional interest. For many political stakeholders, the sad irony is that while Igbo politicians push for inclusion in national politics, their leaders sometimes undermine the very opportunities available to them.