Nigerian Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has expressed confidence that Peter Obi, a prominent politician from the South-east region, does not pose a threat to President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027. According to Umahi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) could win all five South-east states in 2027. He attributed this to the Tinubu administration's efforts to address the marginalization of the region under the previous administration.
Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, noted that the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, in which Obi won all five South-east states, was partly a reaction to the treatment of the region by the Muhammadu Buhari administration. He stated that the region was not fairly treated, with few service chiefs and major ministerial portfolios allocated to the region. This, he said, led to the marginalization of the South-east.
However, Umahi believes that the situation has changed under President Tinubu, with South-east politicians now holding key positions in the federal government. He cited his own appointment as Minister of Works, as well as those of other South-east indigenes to senior federal positions, as evidence of the administration's commitment to integrating the region. According to Umahi, the president has taken the entire nation as one united family.
Umahi also pointed out that the presence of other presidential candidates from the South-east would affect Obi's chances in 2027. He mentioned that there are about three or four other presidential candidates from the region contesting, including a woman. This, he believes, would split the vote and make it difficult for Obi to pose a significant threat to Tinubu's re-election bid.
The Minister of Works also addressed the agitation for a sixth state for the South-east region, describing the process as a "work in progress". He stated that the region is not demanding preferential treatment but wants equitable treatment. According to Umahi, the National Assembly is working on the creation of an additional state for the South-east, with Anioma, the Igbo-speaking part of Delta State, being proposed as one of the options.
Umahi's comments come as the National Assembly continues to discuss the creation of a sixth state for the South-east region. Abia North Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has previously advocated for the creation of Anioma State from Delta North. The creation of an additional state would bring the total number of states in the South-east region to six, equal to the number of states in other geopolitical zones.
Umahi's assessment of Obi's chances in 2027 should not be interpreted as an attempt to underestimate the former Anambra governor. He expressed confidence that the Tinubu administration's record and its treatment of the South-east would help the APC regain support in the region. With the 2027 presidential election approaching, politicians and analysts will be watching the developments in the South-east region closely.
Key points
- The Nigerian Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, believes Peter Obi poses no threat to President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027.
- Umahi attributes this to the Tinubu administration's efforts to address the marginalization of the South-east region under the previous administration.
- The creation of an additional state for the South-east region is ongoing, with Anioma, the Igbo-speaking part of Delta State, being proposed as one of the options.
