The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has urged political leaders and stakeholders in the South-East to adopt what he described as a “strategic approach” ahead of the 2027 general election, stating that it is not yet the turn of the Igbo to produce Nigeria’s president.
Umahi’s position comes even as a video emerged of Obi insisting he will be a presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
Umahi made the remarks while addressing journalists during an inspection tour of the ongoing reconstruction of the 56-kilometre Aba axis of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State. The project forms part of broader federal road rehabilitation efforts under the administration of Bola Tinubu.
In a pointed reference to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, Umahi said leaders of the region should be frank in advising him against pursuing another presidential bid in 2027.
“Unless we are not telling ourselves the truth, there is no more marginalisation in the South-East,” Umahi said. “We should tell our brother, Peter Obi, that it is not yet our turn. When it is our turn, Nigerians and South-East people will know.”
The former Ebonyi State governor argued that the South-East must build stronger alliances with other geopolitical zones and support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 as a form of reciprocity for what he described as significant federal attention to the region.
“To have given the South-East the Minister of Works portfolio—we have never had it before—and you can see the intention and good heart of the President, it is time for a payback,” he said.
Umahi dismissed claims of continued marginalisation of the region, maintaining that recent appointments and infrastructure projects under the current administration demonstrate inclusiveness.
His comments come against the backdrop of longstanding agitation in the South-East for a president of Igbo extraction, with many political leaders in the zone arguing that the region has yet to produce a president since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Political observers say Umahi’s comments may further intensify debate within the South-East over the region’s political strategy ahead of 2027, particularly regarding whether to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress or maintain support for opposition figures such as Obi.
As the 2027 general election approaches, the question of zoning, regional balance, and political alliances is expected to dominate national discourse, with the South-East’s position likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome.
Highlighting ongoing federal projects, Umahi listed key road corridors such as Onitsha–Owerri and Enugu–Abakaliki as evidence of renewed federal commitment to the region’s infrastructure.
“Never in the history of Nigeria have we benefited as such,” he said. “As Deputy Governor and later Governor for eight years, no single project came to my state. Today, we can boast of trillions of naira projects ongoing in the South-East, like in other regions.”
He disclosed that the Tinubu administration inherited 2,068 ongoing infrastructure projects nationwide valued at ₦13 trillion prior to the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.
To prevent project abandonment, Umahi explained that contractors had been migrated to alternative funding sources, including the Sukuk bond scheme. According to him, Arab Contractors is to receive ₦2 billion immediately, with an additional ₦4.7 billion expected from 2025 budget allocations by month’s end.
During the inspection, the minister assessed work at the Alaoji Railway overhead bridge and the Obehie axis of the expressway. The projects are being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and indigenous firm JRB Construction Limited.
Umahi commended the performance of local contractors and announced a shift to reinforced concrete pavement on the Port Harcourt-bound lane of the expressway to improve durability.
“We are building roads, not just constructing them,” he said, adding that JRB had been mobilised on emergency grounds to fast-track completion of critical sections.
He also directed contractors to meet timelines that would enable President Tinubu to commission the Aba–Imo River axis upon completion.
Responding to criticisms over transparency in the execution of federal projects, Umahi said he welcomed scrutiny from the public and anti-corruption agencies.
“They want me to be accountable, and I enjoy it. I am presiding over the funds of the Federation. If you have a petition, send it to the ICPC. Our projects are open for verification,” he stated.
