Minister of Works David Umahi has declared that former Anambra State governor Peter Obi cannot be regarded as the South-East’s best presidential candidate, arguing that the region has other qualified political figures capable of leading Nigeria.
Umahi made the remarks during an interview with ARISE News on Friday while defending political leaders from the South-East who are supporting President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“Peter Obi is not the best of our finest in South-East. He’s not the best; he can never be the best,” Umahi said.
The former Ebonyi State governor criticised Obi for allegedly failing to consult governors and other influential political stakeholders in the region before pursuing his presidential ambition in the 2023 election.
According to Umahi, anyone seeking to represent the political interests of the South-East at the national level should engage regional leaders and build consensus before presenting themselves as a candidate for the presidency.
“You cannot play politics in South-East without consulting people like us,” he said, adding that he would have consulted political leaders in the region if he had decided to contest the presidency.
Umahi also challenged the suggestion that Obi should automatically be considered the region’s strongest presidential contender because of his performance in the 2023 election. He maintained that the South-East had several other politicians with the credentials to seek the nation’s highest office.
The minister further questioned the argument that Anambra State should automatically produce a presidential candidate whenever the South-East gets an opportunity to occupy the position.
He referenced Nigeria’s first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe, who hailed from the area now known as Anambra State, and argued that other states in the region should also be considered in future discussions about the South-East’s presidential aspirations.
Umahi specifically mentioned Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo states, insisting that political discussions about the region’s leadership prospects should not focus exclusively on one state or individual.
The minister also defended South-East politicians who have aligned themselves with Tinubu, rejecting suggestions that their support for the president amounted to a betrayal of the region or its political interests.
He argued that the South-East’s chances of producing a Nigerian president would depend partly on its ability to build political alliances and negotiate with other regions, rather than treating support for a particular candidate as a measure of regional loyalty.
Umahi’s comments come amid growing political discussions ahead of the 2027 general election, with questions surrounding the South-East’s political strategy, regional representation and the alliances its leaders may pursue.
The former governor has maintained that the South-East will eventually produce a Nigerian president, although he has argued that the region must strengthen its political relationships across the country to improve its chances.
His latest remarks add to the ongoing debate over Obi’s political standing in the South-East and the approach regional leaders should adopt as parties and political figures position themselves ahead of the next presidential election.
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