Minister of Works David Umahi has launched a fresh attack on Peter Obi’s political standing, insisting that the former Anambra State governor is not superior to him or other prominent politicians from the South-East.
Umahi made the remarks on Sunday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during a town hall meeting organised by the Directorate of Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
The former Ebonyi governor described himself as the “Lion of the South-East” and questioned why Obi should be regarded as the region’s leading presidential contender ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also named former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Ebonyi governor Sam Egwu and former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Elias Mbam, among the South-East political figures he considers equally qualified.
“Who is Peter Obi better than?” Umahi asked, arguing that political discussions in the region should not revolve around one individual or lead to attacks on those who support other candidates.
The minister further declared that the South-East currently has no presidential candidate, despite the aspirations of politicians from the region, including Obi, who is associated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Umahi urged residents of the region to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, arguing that backing the current administration would strengthen the South-East’s chances of securing the presidency in the future.
According to him, the region should adopt a strategic political approach rather than rely on sentiments, insisting that supporting Tinubu now could help build relationships with other parts of the country ahead of the South-East’s eventual bid for the presidency.
He also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria to openly state their political positions instead of remaining neutral.
Defending the Federal Government’s relationship with the South-East, Umahi cited appointments of people from the region to key positions and ongoing road rehabilitation projects as evidence that the zone was increasingly being integrated into national governance.
The minister also pledged to deliver 1.3 million votes for Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru in the 2027 elections, citing the state’s 1.8 million registered voters.
Umahi’s comments add to the growing political exchanges ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the question of regional representation and the South-East’s presidential ambitions likely to remain prominent in the coming months.
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