The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has insisted that his challenge to former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Mr. Peter Obi, was aimed at comparing governance records rather than political status.
Umahi’s position was conveyed in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, in response to Obi’s rejection of an invitation to debate him.
Obi had reportedly declined the challenge, arguing that he is a presidential candidate while Umahi is not, making the proposed debate inappropriate.
However, Nwaze said the minister’s invitation was never about electoral status but about accountability and governance, stressing that Nigerians deserved an opportunity to assess the performance records of both former governors.
According to him, Umahi believes leadership should be measured by tangible achievements and impact on citizens rather than political rhetoric.
The aide argued that Umahi possesses a broader public service profile, having served as state 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 public service experience, noting that the former Anambra governor’s highest elective office was governor.
Nwaze highlighted what he described as Umahi’s infrastructural achievements in Ebonyi State, including roads, flyovers, public institutions and other development projects, as well as ongoing federal road projects being supervised by the minister under the Tinubu administration.
He also questioned Obi’s emphasis on fiscal savings during his tenure as governor, arguing that governance should be assessed based on visible developmental projects and improvements in citizens’ lives.
The statement further noted that Obi governed Anambra State for most of his tenure without elected local government chairmen, relying instead on caretaker committees until local government elections were conducted shortly before he left office.
Nwaze maintained that Umahi remains willing to participate in a public debate on governance and performance on any credible platform, saying Nigerians should be allowed to evaluate the records of leaders seeking public trust.
