By Kingston Magare 1.11.2026
Nigeria’s minister of works David Umahi said supporters of Peter Obi the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate cannot stop him from stomping for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking in Abakaliki on Sunday against the background of seeming popular support Obi is receiving across the country, Umahi said supporters of the former Anambra State governor throw “insults and hate speech” at those who do not fall in line with their choice.
He insisted that the entire Southeast will be voting for President Tinubu to complete his eight years so that when it is turn of the Igbos to present a presidential candidate there wouldn’t be much opposition from other regional blocks.
“My mouth will not shut up because I am telling our people to think of tomorrow,” Umahi said during a town hall meeting in the Ebonyi State capital.
“We are supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to finish his remaining four years so that the South-East would have strategically supported another region. So that when it is our turn, we will not get this thing by hate speeches; they will not it give to us by sentiments. If leaders of the South-East say this, you will now insult them.
“You insult anybody who is not supporting Peter Obi. Anybody who is not supporting Peter Obi is a saboteur; you insult the person. Who is Peter Obi better than? Who is he better than? Is he better than Sam Egwu? Is he better than Elias Mbam? Is he better than the Lion of the South-East, myself? Is he better than Anyim Pius? Who is better than?”
The former Ebonyi State governor said Tinubu is guaranteed 1.3 million votes and also that his handpicked successor Francis Nwifuru could not be defeated.
“We have 1.8 million registered voters in Ebonyi State. Let me tell you, if we are not donating 1.3 million votes for the President, for the governor, we are doing ourselves a disservice,” added Mr. Umahi who had a microphone yanked from him while speaking at the APC campaign flag off in Kaduna.