Umahi to Peter Obi: You’ll Be Alive to Contest 2027 and Lose

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has dismissed concerns raised by former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi about his safety ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that no one is interested in harming him.

Naijapunchnews reports that Obi had recently expressed fears over his security, stating during an interview that he did not know whether he would be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election because of alleged threats to his life.

Reacting to the remarks, Umahi described Obi’s comments as a reflection of political frustration rather than a genuine security concern.

Speaking on Friday while inspecting ongoing federal road projects in Ebonyi State, the Minister said Nigerians should not interpret Obi’s comments as evidence of any plot against him.

According to ThisDay, Umahi maintained that Obi would remain alive to participate in the next presidential election but predicted that he would once again be defeated at the polls.

“Nobody wants Obi dead. It’s not just reasonable. We all want him alive to contest this election and watch himself lose again,” Umahi said.

The minister also argued that Obi’s fears were influenced by his confidence in the South-East, which he believes remains his strongest political base following the 2023 presidential election.

Umahi, however, downplayed Obi’s electoral performance in the region, describing it as an unusual political outcome.

“What he is afraid of is because he said South-East is his catchment area because of the last election, which I call an accident of history,” he added.

The exchange comes as political activities and alignments ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum, with leading political figures increasingly exchanging views over the country’s political future.

While Obi has expressed concerns about his personal safety, Umahi insisted there was no basis for such fears, maintaining that the former Anambra governor would have the opportunity to contest the election without interference.