Minister of Works David Umahi has urged voters in the South-East to reject Peter Obi and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing federal infrastructure projects across the region.
Umahi made the call in remarks captured in a video circulating on X on Saturday, August 29, 2026, while responding to criticism of his political position.
Umahi Makes Direct Appeal
“It is a must for South East to reject Peter Obi and vote President Tinubu. You can only insult me but at my back, you can’t insult me face to face,” Umahi said.
The minister, who wore a hard hat and high-visibility vest, was speaking to reporters at a construction site. The remarks came amid his recent inspections of federal road projects across the South-East.
Umahi, a former Ebonyi State governor and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has repeatedly called on people in the region to support Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
Minister Cites Infrastructure Projects
Umahi has argued that the Federal Government’s investment in roads, bridges and interchanges across the South-East should influence the region’s voting decisions.
During a recent inspection of the Obosi-Ogbunike-Ogidi interchange road in Anambra State, he said he had personally told Obi, whom he described as his friend and former fellow governor, that he would not win the 2027 election.
He also pointed to the collaboration between the APC and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra as an indication of what he described as progressive political forces working together.
Earlier, while inspecting the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe road in Imo State, Umahi similarly urged voters not to support Obi, while highlighting road projects being funded through tax-credit arrangements.
Obi Supporters Reject Appeal
Umahi’s position has attracted criticism from supporters of Obi, popularly known as “Obidients”, and some South-East groups.
Critics have questioned the idea of linking government infrastructure projects to electoral support, arguing that voters should be free to choose their preferred candidate without political pressure.
Umahi has dismissed much of the criticism directed at him online as insults and maintained that he is highlighting what he considers the benefits of the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure programme.
2027 Election Battle Intensifies
Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, is expected to remain a major political figure in the South-East during the 2027 election campaign.
Umahi’s latest comments add to the growing political contest over the region’s support, as the Tinubu administration highlights infrastructure delivery while opposition candidates seek to consolidate their support base ahead of the presidential election.
