Minister of Works Dave Umahi has said it is not yet the turn of the Igbo to produce Nigeria’s president, insisting the South East will have its chance in the future.
Umahi spoke on Thursday in Benin City at the ‘Operation Rescue Benin Asaba Road’ event, where he also backed President Bola Tinubu remaining in office.
“What we are saying is that it is not the turn of Igbos yet. I heard today one charlatan was saying, ‘Oh no, the Igbos can never be president.’ We will one day become president, but it is not yet our turn; it is the turn of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Umahi said.
He also rejected claims that former Anambra governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, was better than him.
Umahi compared their family backgrounds, intellectual capacity, records of service and contributions to the South East. He also said he did not believe any reasonable person would insult Obi, while describing him as “a lucky person.”
Defending Tinubu’s administration, Umahi said, “If you are challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the president is working and is using us to work and you expect us to keep quiet, we are not keeping quiet.”
He added, “When you condemn people you bring judgement upon yourself. When you say you are holier than angels, we have to analyse to know if it is true.”
On the Benin-Asaba Road, Umahi said temporary work had started on the 136km road. He said Tinubu ordered its redesign with reinforced concrete pavement and added that the Benin Bypass would also receive immediate intervention.
