RismadarVoice Reporters
September 27, 2026
Minister of Works David Umahi has come under criticism following his declaration that it is not yet the turn of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s president.
Umahi made the remarks in Benin City, Edo State, while defending his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election and responding to comparisons between himself and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
The former Ebonyi State governor questioned claims that Obi was politically superior to him, arguing that any comparison should consider their backgrounds, intellectual capacity, records in public office and contributions to the South-East.
“When that guy said that Peter Obi is not my match, it took me 10 minutes to think about it,” Umahi said.
He challenged those making the comparison to identify areas in which they considered Obi’s record superior to his.
“Is it about what we have done for the people of the South-East? Is it about what we did when we were governors? So, when you say he’s not my match, put it side by side and tell me in what way Obi is better than me,” he said.
Turning to the 2027 presidential contest, Umahi said the South-East would eventually have an opportunity to produce Nigeria’s president but maintained that the time had not yet arrived.
“What we are saying is that it’s not the turn of the Igbo yet,” he said.
“I want to be president, but it’s not yet our turn. It’s the turn of President Bola Tinubu.”
Umahi said the political opportunity of the South-East would eventually come, adding that “at the time of God, He makes all things beautiful.”
The minister also defended Tinubu’s record, arguing that the administration had undertaken projects benefiting the South-East, South-South and other parts of the country.
He called on supporters of the administration to highlight those projects as the political debate ahead of 2027 intensifies.
Umahi’s comments have, however, drawn criticism from some political commentators who disagree with his interpretation of presidential rotation.
Public affairs analyst Adedayo Oluwatosin argued that Nigeria’s informal power-sharing arrangement had generally been discussed in terms of rotation between the North and South rather than as a guaranteed succession among individual geopolitical zones.
He also criticised Umahi’s comparison with Obi and questioned the political motivation behind his remarks.
Lagos businessman Chidozie Okafor similarly argued that the South-East should have an opportunity to produce the president and said Obi’s supporters considered the 2027 election an avenue for pursuing that aspiration.
Lagos-based lawyer Marcellus Onah maintained that Umahi’s position should not be interpreted as representing the collective political position of the South-East.
Another commentator, James Okoye, said politicians from the region were entitled to take different positions on the presidential contest but stressed that voters would ultimately determine the outcome through the electoral process.
The criticisms represent the individual views of the commentators and do not establish a single or universally accepted South-East position on presidential zoning.
Nigeria’s Constitution does not allocate the presidency to any particular region or ethnic group. Political discussions about “turns” or zoning generally arise from informal arrangements and internal party practices rather than a constitutional requirement.
Umahi’s remarks have nevertheless added to the continuing political debate over zoning, regional representation and the candidates seeking the presidency in 2027.
