‘It’s not yet time for South-East Presidency’ – Umahi

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the South-East region must wait for its turn in the quest for Nigeria’s presidency, stressing that President Bola Tinubu should be allowed to complete his two-term tenure in the interest of fairness and political stability.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, the former Ebonyi State governor said President Tinubu has done a lot for the South-East within his first two years in office.

“It is not yet the time of the South-East,” Umahi stated. “We, the 17 southern governors, met in Asaba before the 2023 elections and agreed that power should move to the south, regardless of party. The crown eventually came upon President Bola Tinubu, and he must be allowed to complete his eight years.”

According to him, Tinubu’s presidency represents the collective mandate of the southern region, and it would be unfair to demand a power shift before 2031.

“The eight years he took are for all of us, both the south and the north,” Umahi added. “When he finishes, the South-East can contest, having never held the position before. The North-East too can vie when the time comes.”

He maintained that fairness and equity would only be meaningful if every region is given the opportunity to lead when it is due. “For me, it is not yet the time of the South-East. When it comes, we have sons and daughters who are eminently qualified to contest,” he said.

Umahi acknowledged that the region has faced marginalisation in the past, which he said contributed to the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s poor performance during the 2023 general elections. However, he noted that President Tinubu has been fair to all regions and is changing the narrative.

“The South-East might complain about not having many appointments, but the position of Minister of Works is equivalent to five grade A ministries,” he said.

He also questioned whether previous appointments from the region had translated into infrastructural development, saying the Tinubu administration is now delivering tangible projects that the region should appreciate.

“Yes, acknowledge the past, but also focus on the realities of today. We should be clapping with our hands and legs for President Bola Tinubu. My appointment as Minister of Works is not just a position; it is what we have used it to achieve for the entire country,” Umahi said.