Umahi Accuses Obi of Dodging Governance Debate
Minister of Works David Umahi said former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi declined his invitation to a public debate because he could not defend his performance record while in office.
Umahi explained that the debate was not about politics or the upcoming 2027 general election but an opportunity to compare the two former governors’ records based on verifiable achievements.
He stressed that politics comes and goes, while records remain, and the aim was to evaluate leadership, governance and results — not personalities or party affiliations.
The minister reiterated that the proposal centred on accountability, inviting two former governors to let Nigerians judge who delivered more for the people.
Umahi contrasted his own career — spanning business, party chairmanship, deputy governorship, governorship, chairmanship of the South‑East and Southern Governors’ Forums, senatorial service and now a ministerial role — with Obi’s highest elected office being governor of Anambra State.
Highlighting his tenure as Ebonyi Governor, Umahi listed concrete roads, flyovers, bridges, an international airport, a teaching hospital, a health sciences university, an ecumenical centre, a shopping mall, a government house, a judiciary complex and numerous water projects among his achievements.
He also pointed to ongoing federal infrastructure projects under his supervision as Minister of Works, including the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto‑Badagry Super Highway, Calabar‑Abuja Super Highway and the rehabilitation of major federal roads.
Umahi criticised Obi’s emphasis on savings and fiscal discipline, arguing that true performance should be measured by physical and institutional legacy, not merely by money kept in the bank while contractors remain unpaid and projects stall.
The minister further faulted Obi’s administration for allegedly relying on caretaker committees to conduct local government elections throughout most of his term in Anambra State.
Concluding, Umahi said Nigeria needs leaders with demonstrable records of service and reiterated his readiness to appear on any credible platform for a public debate on governance and results.
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