By Paul Joseph
Minister of Works David Umahi has accused former Anambra State governor Peter Obi of refusing his challenge to a public debate because he could not defend his record in office.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Francis Nwaze, Umahi said the proposed debate was never about politics or the 2027 presidential election but about allowing Nigerians to compare the performance of two former governors based on facts and verifiable achievements.
According to the minister, the exercise would have enabled the public to judge their records on governance rather than political affiliations.
“Politics comes and goes, but records remain. That was the basis of my invitation to Mr. Peter Obi. A debate on governance, leadership and results, not personalities or party,” Umahi said.
His remarks came after Obi declined the invitation, arguing that he was the presidential candidate of a national political party while Umahi did not occupy a similar political position.
Dismissing that explanation, Umahi insisted the issue at stake was accountability, not political status.
“It was never about electoral status. It was about accountability. Two former governors placing their records before Nigerians to judge who delivered more,” he stated.
The minister outlined his political journey, saying he had served as a businessman, party chairman, deputy governor, governor, chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, co-chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, senator and now Minister of Works. He contrasted this with Obi’s career, noting that the former Anambra governor’s highest elective office was governor.
Highlighting his achievements as governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi listed the construction of concrete roads, flyovers, bridges, an international airport, a teaching hospital, a university of health sciences, an ecumenical centre, a shopping mall, a new Government House, a judiciary complex and several water projects.
He also referenced major infrastructure projects currently under his supervision as Minister of Works, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Calabar-Abuja Super Highway and the rehabilitation of several federal roads.
Umahi further criticised Obi’s emphasis on fiscal savings during his administration, arguing that effective leadership should also be measured by tangible infrastructure and institutional development.
He also accused Obi’s administration of relying on caretaker committees instead of conducting regular local government elections during much of his tenure.
Umahi maintained that he remains ready to debate the former governor on any credible platform, insisting that leaders should ultimately be assessed by the lasting value and development they deliver to the people.
Leave a Reply