The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that it is not yet the turn of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s president, insisting that President Bola Tinubu deserves continuity in office.
Umahi made the remarks in Benin City, Edo State, while speaking about the Federal Government’s ongoing road projects and defending the Tinubu administration against criticism.
The minister also took a swipe at former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, challenging claims that Obi was superior to him in terms of political experience, intellectual credentials and contributions to the South-East.
Umahi questions Obi’s record
Speaking on the comparison between himself and Obi, Umahi said he took time to reflect on claims that the former Anambra governor was not his match.
He questioned whether Obi had a stronger family background, greater intellectual capacity or a better record of service to the South-East.
“When that guy says that Peter Obi is not my match, it took me 10 minutes to think about it,” Umahi said.
He added that their respective records as governors should be examined before drawing conclusions about their contributions to the region.
The minister also described Obi as “a lucky person” and criticised those challenging Tinubu’s administration, arguing that government officials had a responsibility to defend the President’s record.
Umahi insists South-East will have its turn
On the question of the South-East producing Nigeria’s president, Umahi maintained that the region would eventually have the opportunity but insisted that the current political moment belonged to Tinubu.
“What we are saying is that it’s not the turn of Igbos yet. I heard today one charlatan that 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.
Umahi further disclosed that he also had presidential ambitions but believed the South-East would have to wait for its opportunity.
“I want to be president, but it’s not yet our turn. It’s the turn of President Bola Tinubu,” he said, adding that the region’s opportunity would come “at the time of God.”
Defends Tinubu’s administration
The minister urged supporters of the Tinubu administration to highlight what he described as the President’s achievements, particularly in the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.
He argued that the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects were benefiting communities across the country and called on supporters to continue backing the administration.
“We are saying that the president has done very well. In South-South, in South-East and in the entire geopolitical zone, he deserves continuity, he deserves support,” Umahi said.
Announces fresh plans for Benin-Asaba Road
During the same event, Umahi also addressed the condition of the Benin-Asaba Road, announcing that the Federal Government would redesign the 136-kilometre dual carriageway using reinforced concrete pavement.
He said the decision followed the failure of three options presented to the road concessionaire for continuing the existing agreement.
According to the minister, Tinubu had directed that the entire road be redesigned, while immediate intervention works would be undertaken to address sections requiring urgent attention.
Umahi also disclosed that the government planned immediate intervention on the Benin Bypass as part of efforts to improve road conditions along the corridor.
