UMAHI CLAIMS OBI AVOIDED DEBATE OVER GOVERNANCE RECORD

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has claimed that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi declined his invitation to a public debate because he could not adequately defend his performance while in office.

In a statement issued on Saturday through his media aide, Francis Nwaze, Umahi said the proposed debate was not politically motivated and had no connection to the 2027 general election. Rather, he said it was intended to provide an opportunity for both former governors to present their records in public service for objective assessment.

According to the minister, the debate would have focused on governance, leadership and measurable achievements rather than political affiliations or personalities.

“Politics is temporary, but records endure. My invitation to Peter Obi was based on the need to compare governance records and allow Nigerians to assess our respective performances,” Umahi stated.

Obi had earlier rejected the invitation, maintaining that he was a presidential candidate of a national political party and that Umahi did not occupy a comparable political position.

Responding, Umahi argued that the discussion was never about political stature but about accountability and service delivery.

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“It was not about who holds a higher political office. It was about presenting our achievements to Nigerians and allowing them to decide who delivered more,” he said.

The minister also outlined what he described as a more extensive political and administrative career, citing his experience as a businessman, party chairman, deputy governor, governor, chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, co-chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, senator and minister.

He noted that Obi’s highest elective office was governor, adding that the former Anambra governor had not served in some of the positions he had occupied.

Umahi further highlighted projects executed during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State, including road infrastructure, flyovers, bridges, an airport, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, water schemes and other public infrastructure.

He also pointed to major federal 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 key federal roads nationwide.

The minister criticised Obi’s emphasis on savings and fiscal management, arguing that public office should also be evaluated based on visible infrastructure and institutional development.

According to him, prudent financial management should be complemented by tangible projects that directly impact citizens.

Umahi also faulted Obi’s administration over local government administration in Anambra State, alleging that caretaker committees were used for much of his tenure instead of elected councils.

He maintained that Nigeria needs leaders with demonstrable records of performance and reiterated his readiness to participate in a public debate on any credible platform.

“Leadership should be judged by the impact and value delivered to the people,” Umahi said.