Minister of Works Dave Umahi has dismissed the possibility of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi posing a significant threat to President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Umahi made the comment during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he noted that Obi is not the only presidential aspirant from the South-East seeking the presidency.

Umahi says Obi faces competition from other South-East candidates

According to the minister, several other candidates from the region are also expected to contest the 2027 election, making it difficult to view Obi as the sole representative of the South-East.

He said:> “By the way, it is not only Peter Obi that is from the South-East that is contesting. We have about three or four other presidential candidates who are contesting. > “We have the Labour Party and I think there are other two, even a woman is involved. So, Peter Obi is not a threat as far as I am concerned.”

Minister says APC is not underestimating Obi

Although Umahi dismissed Obi as a major threat to Tinubu’s re-election bid, he clarified that the APC was not taking the former Anambra governor lightly.

He argued that the performance and record of the Tinubu administration would play a significant role in determining how voters in the South-East and other parts of the country make their choices in 2027.

Obi’s strong showing in 2023

Obi recorded a strong performance in the South-East during the 2023 presidential election, when he contested under the Labour Party.

He won all five states in the region, including Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Imo.

His strong showing in the region has made the South-East an important area of focus ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly as political parties begin positioning themselves for the contest.

Umahi’s latest remarks have therefore added to the growing political debate over Obi’s influence in the South-East and his prospects of challenging Tinubu in the 2027 election.