Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, cannot win the 2027 presidential election.
Umahi made the assertion on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) following its inspection of federal road projects across the country. His remarks were reported by multiple news outlets.
The minister said increased political awareness among people in the South-East would reduce support for Obi, urging leaders in the region to be more vocal about what he described as the achievements of the Bola Tinubu administration.
“The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027,” Umahi said.
He called on South-East leaders to communicate more directly with residents about federal government projects and appointments in the region.
“It is important for the leaders of the South-East to be bold, vocal and speak to our people, the Igbos, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbos,” he said.
Umahi also expressed support for Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo over his backing of President Tinubu, saying Nigerians should be allowed to support candidates and political parties of their choice without being subjected to insults.
“I support the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting supporters of the President; people should be allowed to support him,” he said.
The minister further argued that the South-East had benefited from the Tinubu administration through federal appointments, political inclusion and infrastructure projects.
“No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion or projects,” Umahi said.
Umahi has previously expressed a similar position on Obi. In August, he said Obi was his friend but maintained that he had told the former Anambra governor that he would not win the 2027 presidential election.
The minister’s latest comments came during an engagement focused on NANS’ assessment of federal road projects, but he used the occasion to urge South-East leaders to communicate the Federal Government’s infrastructure interventions and political appointments in the region ahead of the 2027 elections.
