Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Friday declared that former Anambra governor Peter Obi is not the South-East’s strongest presidential option, insisting the region has better-qualified figures and must prioritise internal consultation.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News, Umahi defended South-East political leaders supporting President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 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 failing to consult key regional stakeholders before launching his 2023 presidential bid.
“You cannot play politics in South-East without consulting people like us,” he said. “If I were contesting, I would have consulted.”
Umahi rejected the notion that the presidency should automatically go to Anambra State if the South-East produces a president.
“Others are doing 8 years, but Peter Obi decided that Igbos should do just 4 years. Who in South East reached that agreement with him, nobody did. Even if South East should produce President, it should come from Ebonyi State.”
He noted that Nigeria’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe, came from the area now known as Anambra, and argued that Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo should also be considered in future discussions.
