2027: Peter Obi Can Never Be The Best Candidate — Umahi

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Minister of Works David Umahi has insisted that Peter Obi is not the strongest presidential option from the South-East, arguing that the former Anambra State governor failed to consult influential regional leaders before declaring his ambition in 2023.

Speaking during an interview with Arise News, Umahi maintained that his position was not motivated by personal differences with Obi but by his belief that the region has other politicians who could pursue the presidency.

“Peter Obi is not the best of our finest in South-East,” Umahi declared. “He’s not the best; he can never be the best.”

The former Ebonyi State governor argued that anyone seeking to represent the region at the national level should first engage governors and other key stakeholders to build political consensus.

“You cannot play politics in South-East without consulting people like us,” he said.

Umahi added that he would consult widely with political leaders before announcing a presidential ambition, stressing that aspiring to represent an entire region requires engaging those whose interests the candidate claims to represent.

He also challenged the idea that Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election automatically made him the South-East’s leading option for future elections.

According to Umahi, the region should consider qualified aspirants from all five states rather than assume the presidency should go to Anambra whenever the South-East gets the opportunity.

He pointed out that Nigeria’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe, came from the area now known as Anambra State, arguing that Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo should also be considered.

His remarks come amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election and debates over support for President Bola Tinubu among South-East politicians.