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Minister of Works, David Umahi, has challenged the perception that Peter Obi is the most suitable presidential candidate from the South-East, insisting that the region has other political figures capable of leading Nigeria.
Umahi made his position known during an interview with ARISE News on Friday, where he discussed the political calculations surrounding the 2027 presidential election and defended South-East leaders supporting President Bola Tinubu.
The former Ebonyi State governor argued that Obi failed to consult influential political stakeholders in the region before contesting the presidency in 2023. According to him, anyone seeking to represent the South-East at the highest political level should engage governors and other established leaders in the zone.
Umahi maintained that political ambitions involving an entire geopolitical region should not be pursued without consulting those who have played significant roles in its political development. He said he would have sought the opinions of key stakeholders if he were pursuing a similar ambition.
The minister also questioned the suggestion that Anambra State should automatically receive priority if the South-East eventually gets an opportunity to produce Nigeria’s president. He argued that Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo should also be considered in discussions about the region’s presidential aspirations.
On the growing criticism of South-East politicians backing Tinubu ahead of the next election, Umahi dismissed claims that their decision amounted to a betrayal of the region or Obi. He maintained that political leaders should be free to make choices based on their assessment of the country’s political realities.
Umahi further argued that the South-East needed to build stronger relationships with other geopolitical zones to improve its chances of producing a Nigerian president. He cautioned against making the region’s political future dependent on a single individual, stressing the importance of wider alliances and negotiations.
The minister’s comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with competing interests emerging over the region’s preferred presidential candidate and its strategy for securing greater influence at the federal level.
