Minister of Works David Umahi has intensified the 2027 political battle in the South-East, urging voters in the region to reject former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and back President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has openly called on voters in the South-East and across Nigeria to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election rather than Peter Obi.
Umahi made the appeal while insisting that his comments should not be interpreted as a personal attack on Obi.
According to the minister, his intervention was about the political choice facing Nigerians ahead of the next presidential election.
‘I’m Not Attacking Peter Obi’
Umahi said he was not attacking Obi personally but was directly asking voters not to support the former Anambra governor at the ballot box.
“I’m not attacking Peter Obi. I’m asking people in the South-East and Nigeria not to vote for him but to vote for President Bola Tinubu,” Umahi said.
The statement represents a direct political challenge to Obi’s influence in the region, particularly as the 2027 presidential contest gathers momentum.
Umahi Backs Tinubu’s 2027 Bid
The former Ebonyi State governor has repeatedly argued that Tinubu’s administration has delivered infrastructure projects across the South-East and that the region should recognise the Federal Government’s interventions.
Umahi has particularly pointed to ongoing federal road projects and other infrastructure developments as reasons for voters to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He has also previously argued that the South-East should not be regarded as Obi’s automatic political stronghold, predicting that the region could give Tinubu substantial support in 2027.
Fresh Battle Over Obi’s South-East Support
The comments add another layer to the intensifying political contest over the South-East ahead of the 2027 election.
Obi emerged as a major force in the region during the 2023 presidential election, making the South-East a crucial battleground for any candidate seeking to consolidate support ahead of 2027.
Umahi’s latest appeal is therefore likely to fuel further debate over whether Tinubu can significantly expand his support in a region where Obi retains substantial political visibility.
2027 Contest Gathers Momentum
With political parties and emerging coalitions already positioning themselves ahead of the election, the South-East is expected to remain one of the most fiercely contested regions.
Umahi’s message is clear: he wants voters to look beyond regional loyalties and support Tinubu based on the Federal Government’s record and ongoing projects.
The minister’s intervention comes as politicians increasingly turn their attention to voter mobilisation and the battle for strategic regions ahead of 2027.