We should tell Peter Obi it’s not yet Igbos’ turn to produce president — Umahi

Adam Mosadioluwa

Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, has said the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should be clearly told that it is not yet the turn of the Igbo to produce Nigeria’s president.

Umahi stated this during an inspection of the reconstruction work on the 56-kilometre Aba axis of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State.

The minister also disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration inherited 2,068 ongoing projects valued at ₦13 trillion before the removal of the fuel subsidy and the flotation of the naira.

He said Tinubu has addressed the marginalisation of the Southeast through key appointments and major infrastructure projects since assuming office in 2023.

Umahi, who inspected work at the Alaoji Railway overhead bridge and the Obehie axis, listed projects such as the Onitsha–Owerri and Enugu–Abakaliki corridors as evidence that the region is no longer neglected.

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“Unless we are not telling ourselves the truth, there is no more marginalisation in the Southeast,” Umahi stated.

“We have never had a Minister of Works from this region until now. It is time for the Southeast to be strategic and support President Tinubu. We should tell our brother, Peter Obi, that it is not yet our turn.”

He said the Southeast must strengthen ties with other parts of the country and view the 2027 general election as an opportunity to reciprocate what he described as the President’s goodwill to the zone.

“To have given Southeast the Minister of Works portfolio, we have never been Minister of Works, and you can see the product and the intention and good heart of the President, and so, it is time for a payback.” Umahi said.

He added that the region is witnessing unprecedented federal presence through ongoing projects worth trillions of naira, alongside key appointments under Tinubu’s administration.