2027: Obi Is Not A Threat to Tinubu, APC – Umahi

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that Peter Obi’s presidential ambition does not pose a threat to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Umahi stated this on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, while responding to questions about the potential impact of Obi’s candidacy on the APC, particularly in the South-East.

The minister dismissed suggestions that he was apprehensive about Obi’s political influence in the region, describing the former Anambra State governor as his “brother” and “friend”.

He said his position on integrating the South-East into the mainstream of national politics had remained unchanged, recalling that he had previously urged people in the region to support former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“As a governor, go and watch my utterances. When Buhari was there, I publicly asked the South-East to give Buhari 25 per cent,” Umahi said.

He added that he supported Atiku Abubakar in his home state during the election, saying his position was based on the need for the South-East to participate more actively in national politics.

Umahi argued that Obi was not the only presidential aspirant from the South-East and said several other candidates from the region were also contesting the 2027 election.

“Peter is not a threat. The point is that really, he’s not a threat to me as far as I’m concerned, and my party,  and to Bola Tinubu. No, he’s not,” he said.

The minister said he was not underestimating Obi, but insisted that political claims should be assessed against performance records.

“Why should I underestimate him? He’s saying what he will do. I’m saying what we are doing,” Umahi said.

He challenged political aspirants seeking to lead the country to make their development records available for public scrutiny.

“I’m saying what I did as governor of Ebonyi State. Any of these people that are talking about they want to rule the country, they should open the video to show how they developed their communities when they occupied the position,” he said.

Umahi also cited projects executed during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State, including the state university teaching hospital and airport, as examples of his administration’s record.

The minister was also asked about the reported “Rainbow Coalition” involving opposition politicians and whether he was part of the group.

Responding, Umahi said he remained a member of the APC and described Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, as his friend and brother.

“No, Ebonyi is very unique. No, it’s only the APC that is edible. No Rainbow. Even if it is a rainbow or whatever you call it, there’s nothing like that,” he said.