Context and Background
To appreciate the gravity of Umahi’s words, it’s worth tracing the path that led here.
David Umahi, a trained engineer and former two-term Governor of Ebonyi State, rose to national prominence through a mix of pragmatic leadership and political agility. Known for his infrastructure push in Ebonyi — roads, flyovers, and streetlights that reshaped Abakaliki’s skyline — he caught Tinubu’s eye during the heated 2023 general elections.
In the post-election landscape, Tinubu, seeking to cement national unity and bridge the historically underserved Southeast, appointed Umahi as Minister of Works in August 2023. This wasn’t merely an appeasement; it was a strategic signal: that the Southeast would no longer stand at the fringe of Nigeria’s infrastructural transformation.
Under Umahi’s watch, key road projects spanning the six geopolitical zones gained momentum — from the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to key arteries in the Southeast linking Enugu, Ebonyi, and Cross River. He quickly earned a reputation for hands-on site inspections, blunt assessments, and a work ethic that resonated with Tinubu’s promises of renewed hope and infrastructural revolution.
Against this backdrop, his reaffirmed loyalty takes on layered significance. It shows that the trust placed in him wasn’t misplaced — and that in his words, betrayal of such trust would not just be political misjudgment, but “devilish.”
Umahi’s Declaration: Loyalty After God
Let’s pause and unpack the heart of Umahi loyalty — his bold declaration in Abakaliki on June 9, 2025, that his allegiance lies first with God, then with President Tinubu. This isn’t empty rhetoric; it’s a layered statement steeped in faith, trust, and political symbolism.
Statement Highlights
During a candid exchange with journalists at his residence, Umahi made this commitment crystal clear:
“I have told the President even publicly that my loyalty is to God first and then, him. When someone places the kind of trust in you that Tinubu has placed in me, it would be completely wrong and even devilish to betray that trust.”
He didn’t stop there. He warned that betrayal of such trust would not only be foolish—it would be devilish and invoke divine displeasure, underscoring his unwavering moral responsibility.
Measuring the Impact of Tinubu’s Trust
Umahi punctuated his point with a striking example: Tinubu had placed him in charge of a project worth ₦1.6 trillion, yet he operated with total autonomy — no micromanagement, no interference. That level of confidence, Umahi declared, was more valuable than any financial reward:
“Have you seen where a man presided over the procurement of a project worth ₦1.6 trillion and his boss did not call him to ask how he went about it?”
By week’s end, he publicly pledged daily prayers for Tinubu, reinforcing that his devotion transcends politics — it’s spiritual and deeply personal.
Link to National Infrastructure Agenda
It’s not just theological posturing. Umahi tied his loyalty directly to execution and accountability. He emphasized that Tinubu’s public commendation — a metaphorical “more than one trillion dollars” in value — showed alignment with a national infrastructure vision:
Nearly 30 major projects across all six geopolitical zones are scheduled for inauguration by December 20, 2025.
Umahi revealed he is personally overseeing construction and inspection to ensure delivery and efficiency.
Why This Matters
Demonstrates accountability: Umahi ties his spiritual and political loyalty directly to real, on-the-ground results.
Holds clergy and civil service accountable: His statement implicitly challenges others — betray such trust, and you’re not just politically errant; you’re spiritually defiant.
Strengthens Tinubu’s leadership brand: This isn’t fleeting loyalty — Umahi frames it as spiritual, institutional, and enforceable via divine judgment.
Through this section, we see Umahi loyalty is neither vacuous nor casual — it’s a purposeful construct, merging faith, infrastructure, and political allegiance into one cohesive declaration.
Call for Religious Cohesion
Now that you’ve seen the depth behind Umahi loyalty, it’s essential we explore another dimension — his stirring appeal for religious harmony, rooted in President Tinubu’s inclusive vision.
Praising Tinubu’s Interfaith Leadership
Addressing members of the Muslim community during the 2025 Sallah celebrations in Ebonyi State, Umahi described the spirit of unity among faiths as nothing short of unprecedented. He highlighted a defining moment: President Tinubu leading Nigeria’s delegation to the Vatican for the Pope’s inauguration — a gesture that surprised many Christians and demonstrated genuine respect for all religions.
Common Ground Across Faiths
Umahi emphasized that Christianity and Islam share foundational values — love, reverence, and godliness. He didn’t just talk about shared scripture — he stressed shared humanity:
“We all serve one God in different ways. Christianity and Islam both uphold love and godliness.”
These are more than words. They reflect a growing willingness among Nigerians to see beyond doctrinal lines and join hands in nation-building.
Demonstrating Balance in Appointments
Umahi confronted critics of the Muslim-Muslim ticket head-on. He argued that real inclusivity lies in action, not just optics. That’s why he pointed to the current federal appointment ratio: 62% Christian and 38% Muslim — a statistical testament to Tinubu’s balanced governance. It’s an assertion rooted in transparency, meant to reassure citizens from all walks of life.
Church-Mosque Unity in the Southeast
Unity, Umahi noted, isn’t just happening in Abuja — it’s playing out on the ground in Ebonyi. He praised the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Southeast, and specifically Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, for attending the Sallah event despite late notice. That gesture — seeing Christian leaders celebrating alongside Muslim neighbors — was a practical manifestation of religious cohesion.
Civic Harmony for National Stability
Umahi was clear: national development isn’t possible without religious tolerance. He told journalists that religious harmony must be sustained, describing it:
“We are pleased with the interfaith unity between Muslims and Christians across the country.”
This message frames interfaith cooperation not merely as moral but as political, necessary for communal goodwill and peaceful progress.
This section shows how Umahi loyalty isn’t just devotion to a leader — it’s a commitment to unity and shared values.
Community Response and Wider Implications
Umahi’s statements didn’t happen in a vacuum. Local community leaders, clerics, and political watchers have weighed in. Many see his stance as a stabilizing force in a period when regional and religious tensions still simmer beneath the surface.
For grassroots communities in Ebonyi and the broader Southeast, Umahi’s visible loyalty signals two things:
Political Inclusion: For a region historically skeptical of central power, seeing a son of the soil lead major national works reassures the populace that their voices matter.
Religious Bridges: His insistence on faith-based unity resonates in mixed communities where churches and mosques stand side by side.
His statements, circulated widely on local radio and social media, have inspired discussions in town halls and religious gatherings about the necessity of putting national interest above sectarian divides.
What This Means Going Forward
As 2025 unfolds, all eyes remain on Umahi’s projects and pledges. Will he deliver all promised roads by December? Will the interfaith unity he champions trickle down to resolve old grievances between communities?
For President Tinubu, Umahi’s unflinching loyalty serves as both a shield and a standard: a reminder to other cabinet members that trust must be reciprocated with transparency, execution, and bridge-building across faiths and ethnic divides.
In a political climate where defection and betrayal are not uncommon, Umahi’s vow stands out: a loud declaration that some alliances, when rooted in trust and spiritual conviction, transcend politics.
Key Takeaways
David Umahi’s public reaffirmation of loyalty and call for religious cohesion mark a significant moment in Nigeria’s political narrative:
He is actively merging faith, trust, and governance, offering a blueprint for political loyalty based not on blind allegiance but on mutual respect and accountability.
His appeal for interfaith unity is timely, resonating with grassroots communities who bear the brunt when religious tensions boil over.
For Tinubu’s administration, Umahi’s steadfastness is a valuable signal that the government’s Southeast outreach remains strong and purposeful.
How this loyalty translates into concrete infrastructure delivery and long-term peacebuilding remains to be seen. But for now, Umahi’s message is unambiguous: betrayal is not an option — not to Tinubu, not to Nigeria, and certainly not before God.
