The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi has boasted that Peter Obi may no longer pose the same political threat in the South-East as he did in the 2023 presidential election.
Dave Umahi cited President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure projects and appointments in the region. His remarks have sparked reactions among Nigerians on social media, with some questioning his assessment of the region’s political mood.
Dave Umahi made the statement during an interview on Arise News, where he argued that the South-East had reasons to vote against the ruling party in 2023 but that the situation had changed under Tinubu’s administration.
According to the minister, the region’s support for Obi during the last presidential election was largely influenced by what he described as the previous administration’s failure to provide adequate infrastructure and meaningful political appointments for the South-East. Dave Umahi.
“Confident in the sense that in 2023, the past administration did not treat South-East fairly. We had no meaningful appointments. There were no infrastructure in our zone,” Umahi said.
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He added that voters in the region had every reason to reject the ruling party at the time.
“And so they had the right to vote against, you know, the ruling party then,” he stated.
However, Umahi maintained that Tinubu’s administration had changed the situation through infrastructure development and what he described as a fairer distribution of projects across the country.
“But now things have changed. We are not the first in terms of infrastructure development in our region. We are not the second, we are not the third, but we are not the last,” the minister said.
He urged people in the South-East to recognise the changes, insisting that the president had altered the narrative regarding the region’s treatment by the Federal Government.
“And so when things begin to change, our people must have to understand and appreciate it. The president has changed the narratives,” Umahi added.
‘This My Own Minister of Works Is Not a Small Minister of Works’
The former Ebonyi State governor also praised Tinubu for appointing an Igbo man as Minister of Works, describing his position as evidence of the president’s fairness towards the South-East.
“No able man, why are we talking about presidency alone? No able man ever be, you know, minister of works. This my own minister of works is not a small minister of works,” Umahi said.
He attributed the infrastructure projects allocated to the region to Tinubu’s approach to governance, adding that he had also ensured that the projects were distributed across the South-East.
“Because through the magnanimity of Mr. President, through his fairness, you know, in infrastructure distribution, we’ve gotten our own share of this project. And I’m also very fair in making sure it covers the entire Southeast,” he stated.
Umahi concluded by insisting that Tinubu’s infrastructure initiatives had changed the political narrative in the region, where Obi enjoyed significant support during the 2023 presidential election.
Nigerians React as Dave Umahi Says Peter Obi Is No Longer a Major Threat in the South-East
The minister’s comments have triggered mixed reactions on X, with some Nigerians challenging his reasoning and others arguing that voters should be allowed to determine their political preferences without assumptions being made on their behalf.
Reacting to the remarks, X user @Kaizer Sozzey (@ChiduObodo) questioned Umahi’s argument that Tinubu’s appointments and infrastructure projects had changed the political situation in the region.
“At least Buhari didnt destroy Igbo businesses & houses so Umahi should stop deceiving himself. Look at the so called appointments he’s boasting about, Igbos are the least on the list so any Igbo person that believes him is a foolish. A little is enough for the wise,” the user wrote.
Another user, @SylvesterIfe (@Sylveesterlfe), criticised the media’s handling of political interviews and raised concerns about the projects associated with the administration.
“Even our journalists are annoying and not up to standard. How many times same politicians come on air? It’s them who give u questions. What he and tinubu did in that bridge and coast road will remain in history,” the user stated.
Meanwhile, @mopharsa al sheriff (@Iamojay) mocked Umahi’s explanation for Obi’s perceived political standing, arguing that the reasons given for dismissing the former Anambra governor’s influence had changed.
“2023 they said he wasn’t a threat cause he does not have structure … now he’s not a threat cause of Buhari … umahi just no get sense … but una go learn sha …” the user wrote.
Another commenter, @Kiddo UIUX (@ezegge), took a broader view of the debate, stating: “One of the biggest flaw of the Igbo people is betrayal of themselves.”
However, @T Lady (@Officemail44875) urged Nigerians not to assume that the South-East electorate had already made up its mind about the next election.
“Let’s not speak for the people. When election day comes, the people of the South East will have their say at the ballot box,” the user wrote.
The same user added that infrastructure projects alone might not be enough to determine how people vote, stressing the importance of public confidence in political leaders.
“Elections are won by earning people’s trust, not just by pointing to projects. Ultimately, the people of the South East will decide who deserves their votes,” the commenter stated.
Similarly, @Ejiro (@PraiseOg2014) pointed to Obi’s continued prominence in national political discussions, writing: “Peter Obi is the most discussed politician in Nigeria today. Yet, they said they are not scared.”
Watch the full video here
“I’m confident Peter Obi is not a threat in the South East like 2023. They voted for him then because Buhari didn’t give us infrastructures or appointments. Things have changed with Pres. Tinubu, this my own Minister of Works, is not small Minister of Works.”
— Dave Umahi on Arise News.
— Trending Explained (@TrendingEx) October 23, 2026
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