Minister of Works David Umahi has declared that Peter Obi is not the best presidential candidate the South-East can produce, arguing that the former Anambra State governor failed to consult influential political leaders in the region before pursuing his 2023 presidential ambition.
Umahi made the remarks during an interview with Arise News, insisting that his position was not motivated by personal differences with Obi but by his belief that the South-East has other qualified politicians capable of seeking Nigeria’s highest political office.
“Peter Obi is not the best of our finest in South-East,” Umahi said. “He’s not the best; he can never be the best.”
The former Ebonyi State governor argued that politicians seeking to represent the region’s interests nationally should engage governors and other influential stakeholders before declaring their presidential ambitions.
“You cannot play politics in South-East without consulting people like us,” he said.
Umahi added that he would consult widely with political leaders if he were pursuing the presidency, stressing that candidates should not seek to represent the region without first engaging those whose interests they claim to advance.
He also challenged the perception that Obi should automatically be regarded as the South-East’s strongest presidential option because of his performance in the 2023 election.
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According to Umahi, the region has several qualified politicians whose credentials should be considered in future discussions about producing Nigeria’s president.
The minister further argued that the South-East presidency should not automatically be associated with Anambra State whenever the region has an opportunity to produce a Nigerian president.
He noted that Nigeria’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe, hailed from the area that now forms Anambra State, adding that other states in the region, including Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo, should also be considered.
Umahi’s comments come amid political realignments and discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly concerning the South-East’s political alliances and support for President Bola Tinubu.
Defending political leaders from the region who support Tinubu, the minister rejected suggestions that their decision amounted to a betrayal of the South-East.
He maintained that the region could improve its chances of producing a president through negotiations and alliances with other parts of the country, rather than treating support for any particular politician as a measure of regional loyalty.
Umahi’s remarks add to the ongoing debate over political consultation, regional representation and the potential candidates who could emerge from the South-East ahead of the 2027 presidential election.