Umahi Disowns Peter Obi, Says South East Has No Presidential Candidate for 2027

Umahi Disowns Peter Obi, Says South East Has No Presidential Candidate for 2027

 

ABUJA – The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has stirred the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the South-East geopolitical zone currently has no presidential candidate.

 

Speaking during a political event on Sunday, Umahi specifically dismissed the presidential ambitions of Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stating that the former Anambra State Governor does not represent the interest of the region.

 

The Minister’s comments come amid rising political realignments as the nation looks toward the next electoral cycle. While Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party (LP) flagbearer in the 2023 election, has maintained a strong grassroots following, Umahi insisted that the South-East does not have a “consensus” candidate.

 

Addressing supporters, Umahi, who is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasized that the South-East is not yet ready to project a candidate for the presidency. He described the NDC and its candidate as lacking the structure and national appeal required to secure the highest office in the land.

 

“Let me be clear: there is no presidential candidate in the South-East in the 2027 general election,” Umahi stated. “We are not just looking for a candidate; we are looking for a President. As it stands, the region has not produced a candidate that we can all rally around.”

 

The Minister’s dismissal of Obi is seen as a significant political statement, highlighting the ongoing fragmentation within the South-East political elite. While Obi enjoys a massive cult-like following—often referred to as the “Obidient” movement—his relationship with key political figures in the region, particularly those in the APC, has soured since the 2023 elections.

 

Umahi’s remarks suggest a strategic shift by the ruling party to consolidate its grip on the South-East, potentially sidelining the Labour Party/NDC influence in the region. By declaring that there is “no candidate,” Umahi may be signaling that the APC is open to negotiations or that the region should align with the national ruling party to secure developmental benefits, rather than running a “lone race” that may end in defeat.

 

Political analysts suggest that Umahi’s statement is a direct attack on the viability of the NDC and Peter Obi’s renewed bid. It remains to be seen how Peter Obi’s supporters and the leadership of the NDC will respond to the Minister’s assertion that the South-East has no candidate.

 

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the battle for the soul of the South-East—and the definition of its true political leadership—is clearly heating up.

 

Umahi Disowns Peter Obi, Says South East Has No Presidential Candidate for 2027