David Umahi says Peter Obi cannot be South‑East’s top presidential contender as 2027 vote outlook shifts

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, told ARISE News on Friday that Peter Obi can never be regarded as the South‑East’s premier presidential candidate. Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, said Obi’s 2023 campaign proceeded without consulting regional governors and other political stakeholders, a breach he believes disqualifies him from representing the zone.

In the same interview, Umahi asserted that the South‑East’s voting pattern will change in the 2027 presidential election. He linked the anticipated shift to the federal government’s recent infrastructure projects and appointments in the region, suggesting that voters will now express gratitude for President Bola Tinubu’s perceived attention rather than the anger that drove the 2023 vote.

Background Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, was the leading candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2023 presidential election, securing a strong showing in the South‑East. According to Umahi, that outcome was “an accident of history” driven by regional frustration over perceived marginalisation under the previous administration. Since President Tinubu took office, the federal government has launched major road projects and made key appointments in the South‑East, which Umahi says have altered the political calculus.

Umahi also rejected the notion that the South‑East’s turn at the presidency should automatically go to Anambra State, the home of the nation’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe. He highlighted Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo as equally deserving states that should be considered in any future discussion about the region’s presidential ambitions.

His comments come amid a broader debate within the South‑East about whether political leaders should back Tinubu’s re‑election bid or continue to rally behind Obi. The minister defended those regional politicians who have aligned with Tinubu, arguing that such alliances are necessary for the zone to eventually produce a president, rather than being tied to a single candidate.

Why it matters Umahi’s statements carry weight because he is a senior member of the federal cabinet and a former state governor with influence over regional politics. By dismissing Obi as the best candidate, he challenges the narrative that the South‑East will automatically support the NDC in 2027. The minister’s claim that voters will now “demonstrate their joy” over Tinubu’s projects suggests a potential swing in a region that was previously seen as an opposition stronghold.

If the South‑East does indeed shift its support, the outcome could affect the balance of power in the 2027 election, where the South‑West and North are traditionally decisive. The minister also warned that aspiring presidential candidates should seek consensus with regional governors and traditional rulers, implying that a fragmented approach could undermine a candidate’s credibility.

What happens next The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for early 2027, with parties already positioning their candidates. Umahi indicated that the federal government will continue its development programmes in the South‑East, which he believes will reinforce voter goodwill toward Tinubu’s administration. He did not specify any formal agreements with regional leaders but suggested that continued engagement and infrastructure delivery will be central to the government’s strategy.

Opposition figures and some South‑East politicians have yet to respond publicly to Umahi’s remarks, leaving open the possibility of further debate over the region’s political alignment as the election approaches. The minister’s comments, however, set a clear tone that the federal government expects the South‑East to reward its recent investments at the ballot box.