Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has taken a swipe at former Anambra State Governor and National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying the Southeast cannot produce Nigeria’s president by relying solely on votes from the region.
Umahi spoke in Abuja on Monday when he received members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on a courtesy visit who conferred on him Patron of the Association.
The Minister, while discussing the need for political integration and national cooperation, appeared to dismiss arguments centred on regional sentiments, stressing that the Southeast must work with other parts of the country to achieve its political aspirations.
“The vote of Southeast will not make our brother president. We need to work with other zones,” Umahi said.
He also criticised what he described as sentimental politics, urging Nigerians, particularly people from the Southeast, to focus on issues rather than emotions.
“Our people should not be sentimental,” the Minister said, adding that he believed the current administration had demonstrated an intention to integrate the Southeast into the national development agenda.
Umahi said the region had benefited from major infrastructure projects under President Bola Tinubu and attributed some of the projects secured in the Southeast to the President’s commitment to addressing perceived imbalances.
“I have to be very honest with you. If I’m not a Minister from Southeast, we won’t be able to get the projects we have gotten,” he said.
According to him, President Tinubu had demonstrated a willingness to “right the wrongs of the Southeast” through infrastructure development.
“It’s an intention of Mr. President. Go and right the wrongs of the Southeast,” Umahi quoted the President as directing.
The former Ebonyi State governor also appeared to make a direct reference to Obi while discussing political competition and the 2027 elections.
“He’s a very good brother, friend. I wish him a happy birthday, he did to me when I celebrated my birthday” Umahi said.
He, however, insisted that the political debate should be centred on issues and governance rather than personal sentiments.
Umahi urged Nigerians to assess the Tinubu administration based on its performance, particularly in infrastructure development, rather than allowing regional or emotional considerations to determine their political choices.
He cited several road and bridge projects as examples of what he described as the administration’s commitment to national development, including projects linking different parts of the country.