Umahi calls himself South-East’s lion, questions Obi’s political credentials
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has described himself as the “lion of the South-East”, while questioning the political credentials of former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Umahi spoke at an All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council town hall meeting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Sunday, where he urged the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
He dismissed Obi as “a nobody” and asked what made him better than other presidential aspirants. He also faulted Obi’s reported promise to serve only one term of four years if elected president.
Umahi argued that the South-East should not settle for a four-year presidency after waiting for about 60 years to produce a Nigerian leader. He added that the North had not accepted such an arrangement.
The minister urged the region to support Tinubu in 2027, saying it would demonstrate its willingness to support other parts of the country before seeking the presidency. He also argued that the South-East had become better represented in the Federal Government, citing appointments, including the Chief of Air Staff, ministers and senior special assistants.
He further pointed to ongoing road rehabilitation projects and easier clearance of goods as signs of improved relations between the region and the Federal Government. Umahi also criticised Obi’s supporters for allegedly insulting those who do not share their political views, urging religious leaders, the Christian Association of Nigeria and traditional rulers to openly support Tinubu.
The minister said he was confident of delivering 1.3 million votes for Tinubu in Ebonyi State, where Governor Francis Nwifuru is also expected to mobilise support for the President.
“We have 1.8 million registered voters in Ebonyi State. Let me tell you, if we are not donating 1.3 million votes for the president, for the governor, we are doing ourselves a disservice,” he said.
