Umahi Faces Criticism Over ‘Not Igbo Turn’ Comment

Former Ebonyi State Governor and Minister of Works, David Umahi, has faced criticism over his recent statement that it is not yet the turn of the Igbo to produce Nigeria’s president.

Umahi made the comment in Benin while discussing the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects and defending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration against criticism.

The minister also responded to comments comparing his political record with that of Peter Obi, the former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Umahi said he had taken time to consider the basis for claims that Obi was not his match, questioning whether such comparisons were based on family background, intellectual credentials, public service or their records as governors.

He also pointed to projects carried out by the Federal Government, arguing that the Tinubu administration had delivered infrastructure across different parts of the country.

The minister then addressed the South-East’s longstanding aspiration to produce Nigeria’s president, saying the region would eventually have its opportunity but that the current political period belonged to Tinubu.

Umahi said he personally aspired to become president but maintained that the time had not yet come for the Igbo to occupy the position.

He also called on supporters of the Tinubu administration to defend the government’s record and support its continuation.

The comments have generated reactions from some public affairs commentators and other critics, who disagreed with Umahi’s position on the rotation of political power.

Public affairs analyst Adedayo Oluwatosin criticised the minister’s argument, saying the presidency had historically shifted between different parts of the country since the beginning of the Fourth Republic.

Oluwatosin argued that the South-East had not produced a president since 1999 and questioned when, under the rotational arrangement being discussed, the region would have an opportunity to occupy the presidency.

He also challenged Umahi’s comparison of his political record with Obi’s and cited differences in their backgrounds and careers.

A Lagos businessman, Chidozie Okafor, also disagreed with Umahi’s position and said supporters of Obi believed the South-East should have an opportunity to produce the next president.

Okafor argued that Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign had attracted substantial support and maintained that the former Anambra governor remained a major figure in the political discussions surrounding 2027.

He also dismissed Umahi’s comments about his political comparison with Obi, saying the two men had different records and backgrounds.

A Lagos-based lawyer, Marcellus Onah, similarly criticised Umahi’s remarks, arguing that the minister’s position did not represent the views of those supporting Obi’s presidential ambition.

Another commentator, James Okoye, criticised Umahi for opposing Obi and argued that the former Anambra governor had continued to attract support from different parts of the country.

The various commentators expressed differing views on the question of regional rotation and the prospects of Obi in the 2027 presidential election.

Umahi, however, has maintained his position that the South-East will have its opportunity to produce a president and that he supports Tinubu’s bid for another term at the present time.