Minister of Works, David Umahi, has drawn sharp criticism following his declaration that it is not yet the turn of the Igbo to produce Nigeria’s president, insisting instead that the current mandate belongs to President Bola Tinubu.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that Umahi made the remarks in Benin on Thursday while defending the Tinubu administration’s road projects against mounting public criticism. The minister used the opportunity to respond to former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who is positioning himself for the 2027 race.
Umahi said he had taken time to reflect after hearing suggestions that he was not in Obi’s league, and proceeded to question the basis for such comparisons, weighing family background, academic credentials and record of service to the South-East against his own.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the minister maintained the South-East’s turn would eventually come, but stressed that the present political moment belongs to Tinubu, adding that he personally aspires to the presidency but recognises it is not yet his time.
Reactions have since trailed his comments, with critics arguing that presidential rotation in Nigeria runs between the North and South geopolitical zones rather than among individuals or parties. Supporters of Obi’s candidacy have particularly taken issue with Umahi’s framing, with some describing his position as driven by envy of Obi’s growing political profile rather than principle.
The minister, however, insisted his comments were not an attack but a call for those raising comparisons to weigh the facts objectively before speaking.
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