2027 Tension Rises As Umahi Advises Peter Obi, Says ‘Time Not Ripe’ For Igbo Presidency

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, should be clearly informed that the time is not right for the Igbo to produce Nigeria’s president, cautioning that pursuing such an ambition now could place the Southeast at a disadvantage.

Umahi made the remarks while speaking with journalists during an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction of the 56-kilometre Aba section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State.

According to him, the Southeast must take a calculated political stance and rally behind President Bola Tinubu in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.

He argued that claims of continued marginalisation of the region were no longer valid, noting that the Southeast had, for the first time, produced a Minister of Works. He described this as a sign of inclusion and urged the region to adopt a pragmatic approach by supporting the current administration. Umahi maintained that Peter Obi should be told frankly that the presidency is not yet the turn of the Southeast.

The minister emphasised the need for stronger inter-regional alliances, adding that the 2027 elections should offer the Southeast an opportunity to reciprocate what he characterised as goodwill from the President.

He pointed to several ongoing federal road projects in the region, including the Onitsha–Owerri and Enugu–Abakaliki routes, as evidence of increased government attention. Umahi said the scale of infrastructure development currently underway in the Southeast surpasses what the region experienced in previous administrations, highlighting projects worth trillions of naira.

Providing further context, he disclosed that the present administration inherited 2,068 ongoing infrastructure projects nationwide valued at ₦13 trillion prior to the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira. To sustain progress, he explained that contractors had been moved to alternative funding sources such as the Sukuk fund to prevent delays in project execution.

During the inspection, Umahi also assessed work at the Alaoji Railway overhead bridge and the Obehie axis, handled by CCECC and JRB, commending the efforts of local contractors. He announced the adoption of reinforced concrete pavement on the Port Harcourt-bound lane to enhance durability and directed contractors to meet timelines for the commissioning of the Aba–Imo River section by President Tinubu.

Addressing concerns about transparency, the minister said he welcomed public scrutiny, stressing that the management of federal funds under his supervision remains open to verification and oversight by relevant anti-corruption agencies.