“Peter Obi Can Never Be Our Best”: David Umahi Opens Fire in Latest South-East Political Showdown

If you thought Nigerian political drama takes a break after an election cycle, think again. The 2027 political chess match is officially in full swing, and Minister of Works David Umahi has just dropped a political bombshell that has set social media and political circles ablaze.

Speaking during a no-holds-barred interview on ARISE News, the former Ebonyi State governor boldly declared that former Anambra governor Peter Obi “can never be the best” presidential candidate representing the South-East.

And true to Umahi’s style, he didn’t whisper it—he grabbed the microphone, bypassed the diplomatic niceties, and threw open a whole new debate on regional leadership.

“You Cannot Play Politics Without Consulting Us!”

At the core of Umahi’s fiery remarks is a grievance that has clearly been brewing behind closed doors: lack of consultation.

According to the Minister, a presidential aspirant carrying the heavy expectations and aspirations of an entire geopolitical zone cannot just launch a bid in isolation. Taking a direct swipe at Obi’s 2023 presidential run, Umahi argued that major political players in the region were left out of the loop:

“Peter Obi is not the best of our finest in South East. He’s not the best, he can never be the best. You cannot play politics in South East without consulting people like us,” Umahi fired.

Umahi maintained that if he were ever to run for the presidency, the mandatory first step would be sitting down with governors, elders, and major stakeholders across the zone.

Sharing the National Cake: It’s Not Just About Anambra

Umahi didn’t stop at questioning leadership credentials; he also tackled the unwritten assumption that whenever the presidency finally rotates to the South-East, the ticket automatically belongs to Anambra State.

Playing the history card, Umahi noted that Nigeria’s first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe, hailed from the area now constituting Anambra State. He forcefully argued that other progressive states in the region—specifically Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, and Imo—deserve an equal shot at the big seat when the time comes.

• “Others are doing eight years, but Peter Obi decided that Igbos should do just four years. Who in the South-East reached that agreement with him? Nobody did,” Umahi asserted.

Defending the Pro-Tinubu Stance and 2027 Realities

The Minister’s explosive comments were part of a broader defense of South-East political leaders who have chosen to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027.

Rejecting labels of “betrayal” often slammed against pro-Tinubu figures in the region, Umahi insisted that the South-East’s fastest route to power is through strategic alliances, bridge-building, and negotiation across Nigeria—not by treating a single politician as an untouchable regional messiah.

When asked if President Tinubu would sweep the South-East in 2027 against Obi, Umahi didn’t hesitate:

“Why do you say I believe? That is what is going to happen!”

Whether this latest salvo sparks a broader realignment or deepens political friction across Igboland, one thing is certain: the battle for the soul and strategy of South-East politics is heating up faster than ever. Grab your popcorn—2027 is shaping up to be an absolute movie!