Umahi: Obi Not Better Than Me, South-East Has No 2027 Candidate
Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, declaring that the former Anambra State governor is not better than other prominent South-East politicians, including himself, and that the region currently has no presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Umahi made the remarks on Sunday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during a town hall meeting organised by the Directorate of Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and residents of the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid rather than back Obi.
The minister, who referred to himself as the “Lion of the South-East,” listed several figures he considered equally or better qualified than Obi.
These included former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Minister of Education Sam Egwu, and former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Chief Elias Mbam.
“Who is Peter Obi better than? Who is he better than? Is he better than Sam Egwu? Is he better than Elias Mbam? Is he better than the Lion of the South-East, myself? Is he better than Anyim Pius? Who is better than?” Umahi asked.
He criticised what he described as insults directed at South-East leaders who do not support Obi, saying anyone who fails to back the former Anambra governor is labelled a saboteur.
“If strategic leaders of the South-East say this, you will now insult them. You insult anybody who is not supporting Peter Obi,” he stated.
Umahi insisted the region should not deceive itself. “So, I don’t want us to be deceiving ourselves. We don’t have any presidential candidate in the South-East. We have people who are vying; Ebonyi has a right to make a choice.”
“Traditional fathers, do not stay on the fence; religious leaders, do not stay on the fence. Our people in the North do not; our people in the South-West, they do not. Guide our people, let them know what.”
The minister argued that supporting Tinubu for another term would better position the South-East to produce a president when the rotational opportunity arises.
He noted that the region has benefited from greater inclusion under the current administration, including key appointments and major road projects.
This is not the first time Umahi has compared himself favourably with Obi. In September 2026, while speaking in Benin City, he had challenged claims that Obi was superior, questioning differences in family background, intellectual capacity, records as governors and contributions to the South-East.
Umahi’s comments form part of ongoing efforts by APC leaders in the South-East to consolidate support for Tinubu ahead of 2027.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
