Minister of Works David Umahi has questioned Peter Obi’s standing among South-East political leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to Umahi, the region has no single presidential candidate. He urged people in the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu.
The minister spoke on Sunday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. He addressed a town hall meeting organised by the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
Describing Obi as “nobody”, the minister argued that several South-East politicians were equally qualified for leadership.
Umahi Questions Obi’s Political Standing
The former Ebonyi State governor mentioned several prominent politicians from the region.
Among them were former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim. He also named former Education Minister Sam Egwu and former Revenue Mobilisation Commission chairman Elias Mbam.
Umahi questioned why some people considered Obi superior to other political figures.
“Who is Peter Obi better than? Who is he better than? Is he better than Sam Egwu? Is he better than Elias Mbam? He is not better than the Lion of the South-East, myself? Is he better than Anyim Pius?” he asked.
He insisted that the South-East had several people with presidential ambitions.
“We don’t have any presidential candidate in the South-East. We have people who are vying; Ebonyi has a right to make a choice,” he said.
Umahi Urges South-East to Support Tinubu
The minister called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to openly support Tinubu.
He specifically urged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) not to remain neutral.
According to him, supporting Tinubu for another four years would strengthen the South-East’s political position.
He said the region should build strategic alliances with other parts of the country. Political support, he added, should not depend on sentiments or hate speech.
“Igbo man needs wisdom, not sentiments. Igbo man should not allow people to be dishing hate speeches on social media on their behalf,” he said.
Umahi also defended the Tinubu administration’s relationship with the South-East.
He cited road rehabilitation and economic activities as signs of progress. Federal appointments involving people from the region also featured in his argument.
The minister mentioned his position as Works Minister. He also referenced other ministerial appointments and the Chief of Air Staff.
He maintained that the South-East had gained greater representation in the Federal Government.
Umahi Pledges 1.3 Million Votes for Tinubu
The minister promised to mobilise 1.3 million votes for Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru in 2027.
He said Ebonyi had 1.8 million registered voters. The state, he argued, should deliver a significant share of those votes.
“We have 1.8 million registered voters in Ebonyi State. Let me tell you, if we are not donating 1.3 million votes for the President, for the Governor, we are doing ourselves a disservice,” he said.
Umahi also vowed to prevent another political party from taking control of Ebonyi State.
Describing those who believed they could defeat Nwifuru as “jokers”, he expressed confidence in the governor’s political position.
