Umahi Urges Peter Obi to Drop 2027 Presidential Ambition and Support Tinubu
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on political leaders from the Southeast to abandon plans for the 2027 presidential election and instead support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Umahi made the statement during an interaction with journalists in Aba, while on an official visit to Abia State.
The minister said the region must adopt a strategic political direction and avoid decisions driven by emotions.
He specifically urged the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to reconsider any plan to contest in 2027. According to him, another presidential bid by Obi could deepen political division in the Southeast.
Umahi argued that the current administration has taken steps to address complaints of marginalisation in the region through key appointments and major infrastructure investments.
He said the Southeast is witnessing visible federal presence in road construction and other development projects.
The minister cited several ongoing projects, including work along the Port Harcourt–Enugu axis, noting that large-scale investments running into trillions of naira are being executed across the zone.
He also pointed out that the Southeast now holds important positions at the federal level, including the Ministry of Works, which he described as evidence of the president’s inclusive approach to governance.
Umahi said the 2027 election should be seen as an opportunity for the Southeast to strengthen alliances with other regions of the country and return what he called goodwill shown by the presidency.
He expressed confidence that President Tinubu would receive overwhelming support from the Southeast in the next general election. He warned that failing to align politically with the current administration could affect the continuity of projects in the region.
The former Ebonyi State governor insisted that political choices must be guided by long-term regional interest rather than individual ambition. He stressed that the timing of any Southeast presidential aspiration must fit into the broader national picture.
“I don’t want any other person that will come and stop all these projects. I want our brother, Peter Obi not to endanger our people because we need to be strategic. We need to bond with other regions. If you think that I am talking trash, by the special grace of God, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is going to win. And if we fail to massively support by 90percent of our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that will not be good for us; we need to be strategic as a people.
“So, we have to pray for the President and all those who are working with him. Criticize and raise us, nothing goes wrong.
“The important thing is that our eyes are on the ball and our eyes are closed in prayers for the President and our hands are raised in appreciation to God Almighty for giving us President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Umahi concluded that unity and cooperation with the federal government would place the Southeast in a stronger position ahead of future political negotiations.
