Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the South-East region must wait until after 2031 to seek the country’s presidency, arguing that President Bola Tinubu should first be allowed to complete two full terms.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Umahi said it would be unfair for the South-East to demand the presidency now, given that Tinubu, from the South-West, only began his tenure in 2023.
“It is not our time yet,” Umahi said. “We, the 17 southern governors, agreed before the election that power should shift to the South. Tinubu emerged from the South, so he must complete his eight years before others, including the South-East, can contest.”
Umahi said both the South-East and North-East regions would have a fair chance to lead the country after Tinubu’s term, in line with principles of justice and inclusion.
He acknowledged that the South-East had experienced political and economic marginalisation, which contributed to the APC’s poor showing in the 2023 polls, when the region accounted for less than six per cent of the ruling party’s total vote.
Despite this, Umahi praised Tinubu’s development record in the region, citing large-scale federal investments in roads and bridges worth more than ₦350 billion.
Among the key projects he listed were the Enugu–Onitsha highway, Port Harcourt–Aba road, Aba–Umuahia–Lokpanta–Enugu dual carriageway, and new bridges linking Ebonyi and Cross River states.
“President Tinubu does not discriminate. He is treating everyone equally,” Umahi said. “My role as Minister of Works is not just an appointment; it is an opportunity to bring major infrastructure to the South-East.”
The minister urged political leaders from his region to focus on supporting ongoing development efforts rather than pushing for early power rotation.
“We have qualified people, but we must be realistic,” he said. “Our time will come, but for now, we should support the president to complete his work.”
