Works Minister Dave Umahi and other South-East leaders are mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 election.
Umahi questioned Peter Obi’s ability to secure victory at the national level, triggering angry reactions from Obi’s supporters.
The political mobilisation involves governors and leaders from the South-East, with Ebonyi reportedly targeting 1.3 million votes for Tinubu.
Minister of Works Dave Umahi has come under fire from Peter Obi’s supporters following his position on President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election ambition and the South-East’s political direction.
Umahi is among several influential South-East figures reportedly working to secure support for Tinubu’s second term, alongside Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Umahi questions Peter Obi’s chances ahead of 2027
The South-East political mobilisation comes amid growing discussions about the region’s position in the 2027 presidential election.
Umahi reportedly dismissed Peter Obi and other regional political figures as lacking the national political strength required to win the presidency.
He also advocated building political alliances with Tinubu, arguing that such relationships could create opportunities for an Igbo presidential candidate in the future.
Ebonyi State is reportedly targeting 1.3 million votes for Tinubu in the next presidential election.
Soludo, Oluremi Tinubu join South-East mobilisation
Other prominent figures are also participating in efforts to strengthen Tinubu’s political support in the region.
Soludo reportedly established a cross-party campaign council to mobilise support for the president, while Oluremi Tinubu engaged women at a rally in Enugu.
During the gathering, the First Lady reportedly empowered women through grants and the distribution of working tools.
The mobilisation also involves governors from Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, with supporters highlighting federal appointments and infrastructure projects, particularly road construction, as reasons for backing Tinubu.
However, support for Obi remains evident among some people in the region.
Peter Obi’s supporters react to Umahi’s position
Umahi’s comments have generated criticism from social media users, particularly supporters of the former Labour Party presidential candidate.
Some accused the minister of attacking Obi, while others questioned his political arguments and defended the former Anambra governor’s leadership record.
One X user, Samuel Chijioke, strongly defended Obi, writing:
“Peter Obi is 100M times better than you, Peter Obi has good Character, he is compassionate and very competent an incorruptible man, he is the kind of man Nigeria need as a leader, Umahi on the other hand, you are a complete opposite of him.”
Another user, @Ugowil, simply wrote:
“Umahi is competing against himself”
Prince also criticised the political divisions among South-East leaders, arguing that the region should learn from how other geopolitical zones support their political interests.
Meanwhile, @c_henry71480 questioned why Umahi was attacking Obi, describing the former governor as a credible Igbo presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has challenged President Bola Tinubu to a Quranic citation competition after his Umrah trip to Saudi Arabia.
Dino Melaye declared that he was ready to compete with the president, adding that nobody could mock God.
His challenge followed reports of Tinubu leading prayers inside the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah, sparking attention over the president’s religious activities.
Dino Melaye challenges Tinubu over Quranic knowledge
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has thrown a challenge at President Bola Tinubu, asking him to participate in a Quranic citation competition after returning from Saudi Arabia.
Melaye made the challenge in a post on his X account on Monday, following reports of the president’s spiritual activities during his lesser Hajj, also known as Umrah.
The former senator said he was prepared to test his knowledge of Quranic citations against Tinubu after the president completed his religious visit. Continue reading here.
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