Nigeria's Minister of Works, David Umahi, has publicly dismissed the presidential ambition of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, describing him as "nobody." This statement was made during a town hall meeting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, organized by the Directorate of Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council. Umahi also declared that the South-East region has no credible presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Umahi compared Obi to several prominent political figures from Ebonyi State, including himself, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Minister of Education Sam Egwu, and former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Elias Mbam. He argued that the South-East needed political wisdom and strategic alliances rather than relying on emotional appeals or attacks against political opponents. Umahi urged residents of the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027.
The Minister of Works called on religious and traditional leaders in the South-East to openly declare their support for Tinubu rather than remain neutral ahead of the election. He argued that it would be difficult for the North to accept a situation in which the South-East produced a president who served only one four-year term. This appeared to be a reference to Obi's promise to serve only one term of four years if elected president in 2027.
Umahi defended the Tinubu administration, claiming that the South-East had become more politically integrated under the current government. He cited appointments into key government positions, including the offices of Minister of Works and Chief of the Air Staff, as evidence of this integration. According to him, the region had benefited from these appointments, including ease of clearing goods and the revival of roads.
The minister insisted that supporting Tinubu for another four years would help the South-East build political relationships with other regions and strengthen its chances of securing the presidency when the opportunity arose. He criticised supporters of Obi, accusing them of attacking anyone who disagreed with the former governor's presidential ambition. Umahi questioned why Obi should be regarded as more qualified than other prominent political figures from the South-East.
Umahi subsequently declared that the South-East had no presidential candidate for the 2027 election, despite Obi's emergence as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. He urged traditional rulers and religious leaders to guide residents on the political direction they should take ahead of the election. The minister also pledged to mobilise 1.3 million votes for Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru in the 2027 general election.
In response, Obi has maintained that he possesses the experience, competence, and capacity required to address Nigeria's challenges. He criticised Tinubu's administration over rising poverty, hunger, insecurity, and public debt. Obi also questioned the President's frequent foreign trips, claiming that Tinubu had spent more than 260 days outside Nigeria without spending a night in Imo State since assuming office.
Key points
- Umahi dismisses Obi's presidential ambition, saying he is "nobody" and that the South-East has no credible presidential candidate.
- Umahi urges residents of the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027.
- Obi maintains that he has the experience, competence, and capacity to address Nigeria's challenges.
