2027: “Peter Obi Is Nobody” – Umahi Says South-East Has No Presidential Candidate

According to a report by Daily Post on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Minister of Works, David Umahi, has rejected the claim that the South-East has a presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, dismissing the political standing of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and insisting that the region should prioritise a political strategy that would improve its chances of producing Nigeria’s president in the future.

Umahi made the remarks in Abakaliki during a town hall meeting organised by the Directorate of Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council. He questioned the basis for presenting Obi as the South-East’s preferred presidential contender, arguing that the region had several other prominent political figures with comparable or greater credentials.

The former Ebonyi State governor specifically mentioned 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, as individuals whose political records should not be overlooked when discussing leadership from the region.

He challenged those portraying Obi as the only credible political choice for the South-East to justify their position, maintaining that disagreement with the NDC candidate should not attract hostility or accusations of betrayal.

“Who is Peter Obi better than, who is here better than? Is he better than Sam Egwu? Is he better than Elias Mbam? Is he better than the Lion of South-East, myself? Is he better than Anyim Pius?” Umahi asked.

The minister’s position was that the South-East should approach the 2027 election with a long-term political calculation rather than allow immediate presidential ambitions to determine its relationship with the Federal Government. He advocated support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that such an arrangement could strengthen the region’s prospects when it eventually seeks the presidency.

Umahi maintained that expecting an Igbo president to serve only one four-year term would be unrealistic, suggesting that the South-East needed to build political understanding and support across other regions before making another presidential bid.

He also argued that the region had gained greater representation in the Tinubu administration, citing appointments involving ministers and service chiefs, alongside improvements in federal engagement and infrastructure development.

The former governor called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and other influential figures in the South-East to openly support Tinubu rather than remain neutral in the political contest.

He further pledged to mobilise 1.3 million votes for Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru in the 2027 elections, insisting that the state must deliver a strong electoral performance for the ruling party.

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