Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the South-East will eventually produce Nigeria’s president but maintained that, in his view, the region’s turn has not yet come.
Umahi made the remarks on Thursday in Benin City, Edo State, while speaking at the ‘Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road’ event, where he also defended his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The minister’s comments were based on the idea of political rotation, an informal arrangement often discussed in Nigeria’s politics in which different geopolitical regions take turns occupying the presidency.
Umahi argued that while the South-East would have its opportunity to produce a president, he believed the current political cycle should remain with Tinubu.
“What we are saying is that it is not the turn of Igbos yet. I heard today one charlatan was saying, ‘Oh no, the Igbos can never be president.’ We will one day become president, but it is not yet our turn; it is the turn of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
The statement comes against the backdrop of renewed political debate over which region should produce Nigeria’s president in 2027, particularly as political parties and aspirants position themselves ahead of the election.
Umahi also responded to comparisons between himself and former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi.
He said such comparisons should be based on their respective family backgrounds, intellectual capacity, records of public service and contributions to the South-East.
Umahi questioned claims that Obi was superior to him, asking those making such comparisons to identify specific areas where the former Anambra governor had performed better.
“So, when you say he is not a match, put it side by side and tell me what Peter Obi is better than this Dave Umahi,” he said.
The minister also defended members of the Tinubu administration against criticism, saying those working with the President would not remain silent when his government’s record was challenged.
Meanwhile, Umahi announced that the Federal Government had begun temporary intervention on the 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba dual carriageway.
He said President Tinubu had directed that the road be redesigned with reinforced concrete pavement, while immediate intervention would also be carried out on the Benin Bypass.