Peter Obi will be alive to contest in 2027 and lose – Dave Umahi

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has dismissed claims by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, that his life is under threat, saying no one wants him dead and that he would remain alive to contest—and lose—the 2027 presidential election.

Umahi made the remarks on Saturday while inspecting ongoing legacy infrastructure projects in Ebonyi State.

The minister described Obi's allegation as a reflection of political frustration, insisting that the former Labour Party presidential candidate had no reason to fear for his safety.

According to him, the President Bola Tinubu administration's infrastructure projects and renewed attention to the South-East have significantly reduced Obi's political influence in the region.

"Nobody wants Obi dead. It doesn't make sense. We want him alive to contest the election and watch himself lose again. What he is afraid of is that he believes the South-East is his political base because of the last election, which I consider an accident of history," Umahi said.

He further argued that the Federal Government's investments in infrastructure had changed public perception in the South-East.

"We have brought visible development to the South-East, and our people now believe they are better off with President Tinubu completing the good work he has started than engaging in artificial intelligence (AI)-style politics," the minister added.