Umahi: Peter Obi ‘Can Never Be the Best’ Presidential Candidate From South-East

Minister of Works David Umahi has declared that Peter Obi cannot be regarded as the best presidential candidate the South-East can produce, arguing that the former Anambra State governor failed to consult key political leaders in the region before contesting the 2023 presidential election.

Umahi made the remarks during an interview with ARISE News anchor Ojy Okpe on Friday, October 23, 2026, as political discussions intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.

“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 insisted that his comments were not motivated by personal animosity towards Obi but by his view of the political process required for a candidate seeking to represent the interests of the South-East at the national level.

Umahi Says Obi Should Have Consulted Regional Leaders

Umahi argued that a presidential aspirant seeking to represent the South-East should engage governors, political leaders and other influential stakeholders in the region before declaring or pursuing such an ambition.

According to the minister, Obi’s approach ahead of the 2023 election did not involve sufficient consultation with some of the region’s established political figures.

“You cannot play politics in South-East without consulting people like us,” Umahi said during the interview.

He added that if he were pursuing the presidency, he would first consult widely with political stakeholders to build consensus around his ambition.

Umahi maintained that the presidency is a national contest requiring political negotiation, alliances and support beyond a candidate’s home region. He argued that regional popularity alone should not determine who is considered the most suitable person to contest for the office.

Minister Says South-East Has Other Presidential Options

The Works Minister also challenged the view that Obi should automatically be regarded as the South-East’s strongest presidential option because of his performance in the 2023 election.

He said the region has other qualified political figures who should be considered when discussions arise about producing Nigeria’s president.

Umahi further questioned the argument that Anambra State should automatically produce a presidential candidate whenever the South-East has an opportunity to occupy the office.

He referred to Nigeria’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe, who came from the area that now constitutes Anambra State, and argued that other states in the region should also have opportunities.

Umahi specifically mentioned Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo as states that should be considered in discussions about the South-East’s presidential ambitions.

His position reflects a political disagreement over regional representation, power rotation and the process through which political leaders from the South-East should build consensus around presidential aspirations.

Umahi Defends South-East Leaders Supporting Tinubu

The minister’s comments also came amid debate over support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu among political leaders from the South-East.

Umahi defended those who have chosen to support Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, rejecting suggestions that their political decisions amount to a betrayal of the region.

He argued that political alliances should be assessed in terms of negotiations, interests and potential benefits rather than treating support for a particular candidate as a test of regional loyalty.

Umahi has also maintained that the South-East needs to strengthen its political relationships with other parts of Nigeria if it hopes to produce a president.

His comments place him among regional political figures who argue that national alliances and engagement with established political structures are important to the region’s long-term presidential ambitions.

Obi’s 2023 Performance Remains Part of the Debate

Obi contested the 2023 presidential election as the Labour Party’s candidate and attracted substantial support, particularly in the South-East.

However, Umahi argued that the outcome should not automatically settle the question of who represents the region’s best presidential option in future elections.

The minister’s comments are political assessments rather than an objective determination of the relative qualifications of potential candidates. Evaluating presidential contenders involves examining their public-service records, policy proposals, leadership experience and plans for addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

As political parties and prospective candidates prepare for 2027, disagreements over consultation, regional representation and national alliances are likely to remain part of the political debate.

Umahi’s remarks have therefore added another dimension to discussions about the South-East’s presidential ambitions and the competing political strategies being advanced by leaders from the region.

Source: ARISE News, Punch Newspapers, Vanguard.