It’s Not Yet Igbos’ Turn to Produce President – Umahi
...Says Obi Not Better Than Him By Any Metric
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that it is not yet the turn of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s president, insisting that the Igbo would eventually occupy the presidency.
Umahi made the statement on Thursday, September 24, 2026, during the Federal Government press briefing on the Benin-Asaba Road situation in Benin City, Edo State.
Responding to a remark that presidential candidate Peter Obi was not his match, Umahi stated that the comparison should be subjected to scrutiny, challenging those who consider Obi superior to him to place their records side by side.
He argued such an assessment should consider their family backgrounds, intellectual capacity, contributions to the South-East, and records as governors.
“When that guy says that Peter Obi is not my match, it took me ten minutes to think about it; is it in my larger family background that he is better than my own? Is it in intellectual capacity? Is it in what we have done for the people of South-East? Is it what we did when we were governors?
“So, when you say he is not a match, put it side by side and tell me what Peter Obi is better than this Dave Umahi. You can’t be tackling counsel without knowledge,” he said.
Umahi also addressed calls for an Igbo president, saying the South-East would eventually produce a president but arguing that the time had not yet come.
“What we are saying is that it is not the turn of Igbos yet,” the Minister remarked.
He added that the claim that the Igbo could never produce a president was unfounded, saying the group would eventually attain the presidency.
On the Benin-Asaba Road, Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government had decided to intervene in the reconstruction of the 136-kilometre road following setbacks in the existing concession arrangement.
He expressed disappointment that the concessionaire rejected what he described as three “beautiful options” offered by the government for the continuation of the agreement.
The Minister, however, revealed that the setback had created an opportunity for a new approach to the project.
“The President has directed, whether under concessioning or under the takeover of the Ministry of Works, that the entire 136km dualisation should be redesigned on reinforced concrete pavement. So, we have defined the project; there is going to be immediate intervention in the Benin Bypass,” he added.
