Minister of Works David Umahi has faulted Peter Obi’s approach to his 2023 presidential ambition, arguing that the former Anambra State governor failed to consult influential political leaders in the Southeast before seeking the nation’s highest office.

Umahi made the remarks during an interview with ARISE News, where he challenged the notion that Obi should automatically enjoy the region’s backing for another presidential bid.

The minister said presidential ambition in the Southeast should involve consultations with established political stakeholders, including governors and other leaders whose influence could help build broader regional and national support.

“You cannot play politics in South East without consulting people like us,” Umahi said, maintaining that he would have engaged the region’s political leadership had he pursued the presidency.

He also argued that the Southeast needed to strengthen its political alliances beyond the region rather than assume that geographical identity alone would guarantee support for one of its presidential aspirants.

Umahi further cautioned against treating the presidential question as an exclusive preserve of Anambra State, pointing to Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo as other states whose interests and political aspirations should be considered.

His comments come as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general election, with the minister among the Southeast political figures supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The position reflects an emerging debate over the strategy the Southeast should adopt to improve its chances of producing a president, particularly the roles of regional consultations, political consensus and alliances with other parts of the country.

The report was originally published in a statement on Umahi’s interview with ARISE News.