Umahi Says Obi Is Not the South-East’s Best Candidate

Nigeria’s Works Minister David Umahi said Peter Obi should not be treated as the South-East’s strongest potential presidential candidate, arguing that Obi failed to consult regional political leaders before his 2023 campaign. Umahi also said Obi posed no threat to President Bola Tinubu’s prospects in the 2027 election. Umahi made the comments in a Friday interview, saying the region had other qualified figures who could seek the presidency. He argued that a candidate pursuing an ambition on behalf of the South-East should consult governors and other political stakeholders. His assessment of Obi’s political support and electoral prospects was Umahi’s own; the interview accounts do not independently establish those judgments. Umahi also rejected the idea that the region’s presidential hopes should automatically centre on Anambra, Obi’s home state. He identified Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo as states that should be considered in discussions about a South-East candidate. He said regional leaders who support Tinubu should not be portrayed as betraying the region, and argued that political alliances beyond the South-East would be important to its presidential ambitions. The remarks...