2027: Umeh's ethnic politics is self-sabotage, dangerous setback to Obi — Arabambi
A chieftain of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, has condemned Senator Victor Umeh over his reported declaration that any Igbo person campaigning against Peter Obi's presidential ambition is an enemy of the Igbo people.
Arabambi described the statement as politically reckless, divisive and capable of undermining Obi's chances of securing nationwide support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a video circulating on Monday, Umeh, popularly referred to as Ohamadike of Ndigbo, urged people of the South-East to treat anyone working against Obi's presidential bid as an enemy of the Igbo race.
"I'm an Igbo activist; you people know me, and you hear my voice in the Senate on all issues of national importance. Peter is our conscience in this election. Any Igbo man who stands up to say we will not vote for Peter Obi, I'm telling you that he's an enemy of the Igbo people," Umeh said.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, Arabambi said it was unfortunate that a serving member of the National Assembly, who should understand the importance of national unity and democratic pluralism, would make statements threatening people's right to vote for candidates of their choice.
According to the National Vice Chairman, South West, of the Labour Party, Nigeria is a multinational, multi-ethnic and multiparty democracy where every citizen has the constitutional right to support any candidate of their choice, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
"Senator Victor Umeh must understand that Peter Obi is seeking to become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not President of the Igbo or Biafra nation. His ambition must be sold to Nigerians across all ethnic, religious and geopolitical boundaries," Arabambi said.
"The moment we begin to suggest that every Igbo person must support him simply because he is Igbo, we are inadvertently giving other Nigerians reasons to view his candidacy through an ethnic lens."
Arabambi described Umeh's position as a serious political miscalculation, arguing that presidential elections cannot be won through ethnic solidarity alone.
He noted that a presidential candidate must secure the highest number of votes and at least 25 per cent of votes cast in two-thirds of the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
He questioned the political wisdom behind demanding that all Igbo people support Obi while expecting Nigerians from other ethnic groups to freely embrace his candidacy.
"How can the politicians appeal to Yoruba people, Hausa-Fulani people, Middle Belt communities, South-South Nigerians and other ethnic nationalities to support Peter Obi when some of the Igbo political leaders are publicly suggesting that supporting another candidate amounts to betraying the Igbo race? Democracy does not work that way," he said.
"You cannot demand political freedom from others while denying the same freedom to your own people."
He further argued that Umeh's position could inadvertently damage the very presidential ambition he claims to defend.
"Peter Obi needs more Nigerians to believe in him, not fewer Nigerians to become suspicious of him. His strongest political asset should be his ability to attract voters who are not Igbo. Anything that weakens that possibility is political self-sabotage," he added.
Arabambi said a senator representing Anambra Central was elected to make laws for the entire federation, not to advance the political interests of one ethnic group at the expense of others.
While Umeh has every right to campaign for Obi, he maintained that the senator has no democratic or moral justification to label fellow Igbo citizens enemies of their people simply because they support another presidential candidate.
He warned that attempting to impose political loyalty on the Igbo population could further deepen internal divisions and weaken the community's bargaining power.
Describing Umeh as an ethnic jingoist and bigot, Arabambi said Obi should not be reduced to an ethnic symbol.
He said Obi's political appeal ought to rest on his personal record, policy proposals, leadership capacity and ability to convince Nigerians that he can govern a diverse country.
Arabambi also called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Anambra Central senator over alleged incitement, threat to national unity, intimidation and treasonable felony.
He urged Obi's supporters to build bridges with other political constituencies, respect divergent opinions and convince Nigerians through dialogue, credible policies and democratic engagement.
"If Peter Obi is truly the best candidate for Nigeria, let his supporters make that argument before Nigerians and allow the people to decide. Do not turn his presidential ambition into an ethnic obligation," Arabambi said.
"Do not make fellow Igbo people political prisoners of one candidate's ambition. And, above all, do not shoot the Igbo people in the foot while claiming to defend their interests."
2027: Umeh’s ethnic politics is self-sabotage, dangerous setback to Obi — Arabambi