Follow Us on Google
By Lawrence Agbo
Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed claims that the All Progressives Congress (APC) sees Peter Obi as a political threat ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that neither the ruling party nor President Bola Tinubu has any reason to fear the former Anambra State governor.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Umahi described suggestions that Peter Obi poses a challenge to the President as “AI politics,” arguing that the perception is exaggerated and disconnected from reality.
“Even me, I cannot be scared of Peter Obi, not to talk about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or our party, the APC. What displays around Peter Obi is AI politics. It is putting something on nothing. Nobody is scared of Peter Obi,” he said.
The minister also questioned Obi’s performance during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, alleging that he failed to deliver critical infrastructure, establish industries, empower residents or settle contractors before leaving office.
Umahi further criticised Obi’s recent call for President Tinubu to resign over the country’s security situation, arguing that the former governor never accepted responsibility for challenges encountered during his own administration.
“I read where it was said that Peter Obi said Tinubu should resign because of this, and I asked myself: How many times did Peter Obi resign as Governor of Anambra State for failure to fix the roads, failure to establish industry, failure to empower people, failure to establish an airport, or failure to establish a seaport? Failure to pay contractors.”
He also accused some supporters of the Obidient movement of intolerance toward opposing views, claiming they often resort to insults and threats against critics.
Other News
According to him, President Tinubu has continued to tolerate criticism without taking opponents to court, unlike what he alleged was Obi’s approach to dissent.
“Look at the pattern of politics around Peter Obi. You disagree with him, then he takes you to court. How many times have you been abusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? How many people has he taken to court? You know, so it means that you don’t even have a good temperament.
“Look at the Obidient movement. You disagree, they insult people, they wish people dead, they issue threats and all kinds of things. Is that the kind of behavior we want? So, nobody is afraid of Peter Obi. So, I can assure you that nobody is afraid of Peter Obi. And I’ve said to the Obidient movement, any of them can debate with me in terms of the infrastructural development of the country and all the good indices of the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. No one,” he reiterated.
Defending the administration’s economic reforms, Umahi said Tinubu inherited longstanding structural problems that could not be resolved within three years.
He maintained that the government’s policies were beginning to produce positive results, adding that economic recovery requires time after decades of accumulated challenges.
The minister urged Nigerians to assess the administration based on its reforms and ongoing infrastructure projects rather than political rhetoric, insisting that no opposition presidential aspirant has demonstrated the capacity to match President Tinubu’s achievements.
Umahi expressed confidence that the President’s record in office would justify another term, saying the benefits of the administration’s reforms would become more evident over time.
