Beyond Quality Representation, Umeh Is a Strong Voice for the Entire Igbo People — Obi

By Tony Okafor, Awka

Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has endorsed the re-election of Senator Victor Umeh, describing him as a strong voice for the Igbo people beyond his representation of Anambra Central Senatorial District.

Obi also described candidates of the NDC in the 2027 general elections as formidable, expressing confidence in their capacity to offer Nigerians an alternative in the country’s political landscape.

“Beyond providing quality representation, Senator Victor Umeh is a strong voice for the entire Igbo people. Vote for him,” Obi said.

The endorsement comes as political parties and their candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has attracted attention through his education initiatives, constituency projects and legislative interventions.

One of his flagship programmes is the scholarship scheme operated through the Victor Umeh Education Foundation, which supports students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds in tertiary institutions.

In January 2026, Umeh awarded scholarships worth ₦64 million to 326 students for the 2025/2026 academic session. The beneficiaries were drawn from communities across Anambra Central, with the programme covering undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The initiative, which dates back to 1999 and was formalised in 2007, has produced graduates in several professional fields, including medicine, law, engineering, pharmacy and accountancy. Reports on the programme have put the number of its graduate beneficiaries at more than 2,000.

Beyond scholarships, Umeh’s constituency interventions have included the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, provision of classroom facilities, rural electrification, solar-powered boreholes, healthcare infrastructure and road projects across communities in the senatorial district.

A report on his three-year scorecard in the Senate, published in June 2026, also highlighted agricultural support programmes, including the distribution of fertiliser and assistance to farmers, as well as efforts to facilitate employment opportunities for constituents.

On the legislative front, Umeh has advocated improved railway infrastructure in the South-East and interventions to address erosion along the Onitsha-Oba section of the Onitsha-Owerri Federal Highway.

He has also sponsored legislative proposals relating to skills acquisition, agricultural education and civil registration.

Obi’s endorsement of Umeh is significant in the context of the forthcoming elections, as the former governor seeks the presidency under the NDC while the senator seeks another term representing Anambra Central.

Umeh has remained an advocate for the political interests of the South-East and has consistently supported Obi’s presidential ambition.

The endorsement places Umeh’s legislative record, constituency interventions and advocacy for the Igbo people among the issues likely to feature in discussions about his re-election bid.

The 2027 elections are expected to provide voters with an opportunity to assess the records, programmes and promises of candidates seeking elective offices across the country.

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