Umahi sparks controversy saying Igbo not yet due for presidency, backs Tinubu's turn

Former Ebonyi State Governor and current Works Minister David Umahi stated it is not yet the turn of the Igbo to produce Nigeria's president, asserting it is President Bola Tinubu's turn. He made the remarks in Benin on Thursday while defending Tinubu's administration and responding to Peter Obi's potential 2027 presidential challenge, questioning Obi's credentials and suggesting his own record surpasses the former Anambra governor's. Umahi's comments triggered immediate backlash from critics who argue the presidency should rotate between North and South geopolitical zones, not among individuals, pointing out that no Igbo person has held the office since 1999. Public affairs analyst Adedayo Oluwatosin accused Umahi of scheming for a 2031 vice presidential bid and being motivated by jealousy of Obi's popularity, while Lagos businessman Chidozie Okafor claimed Umahi and allies are fighting to remain politically relevant through patronage. Lagos lawyer Marcellus Onah countered that even northern critics of Igbo presidency now acknowledge it is the Southeast's turn, stating 'the train has left him' regarding Umahi's opposition to Obi's 2027 bid. The debate highlights tensions around Nigeria's unofficial power-sharing agreement as the 2027 election approaches, with supporters of Obi insisting his 2023 mandate was stolen and that this time they will guard their votes to ensure an Igbo president emerges. Critics of Umahi's stance argue it disregards the South-East's long-standing exclusion from the presidency and undermines regional equity principles that have guided Nigerian politics since the Fourth Republic began. With both sides framing the issue as a matter of fairness versus political realism, readers should consider where they stand on the zoning debate and how regional representation factors into their 2027 voting decisions, particularly whether they prioritize zoning agreements or individual candidate merit when choosing leaders.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/27/2027-presidency-umahi-under-fire-over-not-igbo-turn-comment/