Minister of Works David Umahi has said the South-East will eventually produce Nigeria’s president but maintained that, in his view, the region’s opportunity has not yet come.
Umahi spoke on Thursday in Benin City, Edo State, during the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event, where he also addressed questions about his political position and comparisons between him and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
Responding to the comparison, the former Ebonyi State governor said such assessments should take into account their family backgrounds, intellectual abilities, records in public office and contributions to the South-East.
Follow PenTalk News
Get breaking news, important updates and the latest stories directly on your phone.
Umahi questioned whether Obi had a stronger background or record in those areas.
“And when that guy says that Peter Obi is not my match, it took me ten minutes to think about it; is it in my larger family background that his is better than my own? Is it in intellectual capacity? Is it in what we have done for the people of South-East? Is it what we did when we were governors?” he said.
The minister also referred to Obi as “a lucky person” while discussing his political career and support base.
On the longstanding question of when an Igbo person would occupy Nigeria’s presidency, Umahi said he had no doubt that the South-East would eventually produce a president. However, he argued that the presidency currently belongs to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“What we are saying is that it is not the turn of Igbos yet… we will one day become president but it is not yet our turn, it is the turn of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Umahi said.
The latest remarks follow comments Umahi made earlier in the week concerning Obi’s chances in the 2027 presidential election. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, the minister urged political and community leaders in the South-East to communicate what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration to people in the region.
“The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027. It is important for the leaders of the South-East to be bold, vocal and speak to our people, the Igbos, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbos,” he said.
Umahi also defended his support for Tinubu and commended Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo for publicly supporting the President.
“I support the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting supporters of the President; people should be allowed to support him,” Umahi said.
According to the minister, the Tinubu administration has increased federal involvement in the South-East through appointments, political inclusion and infrastructure projects.
“No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion or projects,” he said.
Soludo has similarly confirmed that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is working with the Tinubu-led Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the relationship as a partnership focused on development.
“So far, ours is a partnership that works, a partnership between APGA, the federal government, and the APC, it’s a partnership that works,” Soludo said.
APGA has also endorsed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election and decided against presenting its own presidential candidate after consultations with its National Executive Committee.
Umahi made the comments in Benin City while discussing the proposed rehabilitation of the Benin-Asaba dual carriageway. He disclosed that the Federal Government plans to redesign the 136-kilometre road with reinforced concrete pavement as part of efforts to improve the route.
The minister also explained the proposed financing structure for federal road projects, saying the government would contribute part of the required funds while loans would finance the balance, with repayment expected to come through tolling.
“The Federal Government is providing 30 per cent of the funds and the remaining balance is from loans which will be payable by tolling,” Umahi said.
He also expressed concern over alleged vandalism and dangerous driving along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
According to him, some individuals have been removing iron used for road demarcation and stealing manhole covers, while some motorists have been driving at excessive speeds.
“People cut the iron we used for demarcation, remove manhole covers and even overspeed. This is unacceptable,” he said.
