Abia Government Shuts Tinubu Campaign Office in Umuahia, Stirring Political Attention Across Southeast

The Abia State Government has sealed a campaign office linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political support network, the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP), in a development that has sparked widespread public interest and generated fresh political conversations across the Southeast.

The office, located along Ojike Street in Umuahia, serves as the Abia base of the Renewed Hope Partners — a mobilization structure championed across the Southeast by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu. The group has been actively pushing to broaden the president’s support in a region where political allegiances have been shifting.

According to staff members who arrived for work early in the day, the premises had already been sealed. An RHP official who declined to be named explained that the group received no prior communication from the state authorities, describing the incident as “unexpected and unsettling.”

On the walls of the building, officials of the Ministry of Lands and Housing pasted notices alleging that the property had breached Sections 41 and 100 of the Abia State Tax Law (Codification and Consolidation), Law No. 7 of 2020. The notice warned that anyone attempting to remove the seal — including the occupants, neighbours, or passers-by — would be violating the same law. The ministry did not provide additional details about the specific nature of the alleged infraction or whether the occupants were previously notified.

Efforts by reporters to reach the phone numbers listed on the official documents were unsuccessful, as the lines were unavailable at the time of filing this report. With no public briefing yet from the Abia government or the ministry, clarity on whether the closure stemmed from unpaid levies, documentation issues, or other regulatory requirements remains unavailable.

The incident has, however, triggered wider conversations within Umuahia and across the region. Many observers say that because the office is tied to a presidential mobilization group, the sealing has naturally drawn political attention, even though the ministry framed the action as a tax-related enforcement measure. Residents and civil society commentators noted that the absence of a government statement has left room for speculation and urged the state to provide a transparent explanation to avoid misunderstandings.

Political analysts familiar with Southeast dynamics observed that Abia State, under Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party, maintains a distinct political environment, making actions involving federal-aligned structures more sensitive. They noted that the development comes at a time when the federal government, through leaders such as Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, has been working to strengthen its political presence in the region. The sealing of a pro-Tinubu mobilization office therefore adds a new layer to ongoing political debates.

Supporters of the Renewed Hope Partners in Abia expressed concern that the action could slow their outreach campaigns in the state. Some members said they are willing to engage with the authorities to resolve any regulatory concerns, insisting that the organization operates within the law. A senior coordinator explained that the group expects formal communication from the government and remains open to fulfilling any outstanding requirements once they are clearly stated.

Community members who visited the area also expressed curiosity about the sudden closure, saying the building had been active with political meetings and training sessions in recent months. Residents added that the sealing was done quietly and without disruption, but many are still waiting for clarification from authorities.

As of the time this report was filed, the Abia State Government had not issued an official statement, and the Ministry of Lands and Housing had not responded to inquiries. Observers say a detailed explanation would help calm emerging political narratives and assure the public that the action was strictly administrative, especially given the prominence of the individuals and institutions associated with the office.

The situation continues to draw interest as political actors, civil society organizations, and local residents await further updates on what led to the regulatory action and whether discussions have begun between the state government and the Renewed Hope Partners to resolve the matter.