Minister of Works David Umahi has questioned Peter Obi’s standing as the leading presidential contender from the South-East, arguing that the region has other politicians capable of competing for Nigeria’s top political office.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News, Umahi said Obi’s decision to pursue the presidency in 2023 without first consulting influential leaders in the region was a major concern.
“Peter Obi is not the best of our finest in South-East,” Umahi said. “He’s not the best; he can never be the best.”
The minister, who previously governed Ebonyi State, said political aspirants seeking the backing of the South-East must engage key figures in the region before embarking on a presidential campaign.
“You cannot play politics in South-East without consulting people like us,” he said.
Umahi explained that consultation with governors and other political leaders would help build agreement and strengthen a candidate’s support base. He added that he would follow such a process himself if he intended to run for president.
He also argued that Obi’s performance in the 2023 election should not be the sole reason for considering him the region’s preferred candidate in another presidential contest.
According to Umahi, the South-East has several capable political figures whose ambitions and qualifications deserve consideration.
The minister further said the region should not assume that Anambra State must produce the president whenever the South-East gets the opportunity to occupy the office.
He cited Nigeria’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe, who came from present-day Anambra, while stressing that other states in the region, including Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo, should also be considered.
Umahi’s position comes amid growing political conversations ahead of the 2027 general election and debate over the South-East’s relationship with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He defended South-East politicians who support Tinubu, rejecting the argument that their position amounts to betraying the region.
Umahi maintained that building political partnerships across the country would give the South-East a stronger chance of producing a future president than insisting that support for one particular candidate determines regional loyalty.
