Umahi Replies Obi: Debate Was About Accountability, Not Political Status

— Minister insists proposed engagement is about accountability, not political status

By Eshioromeh Sebastian

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has renewed his call for a public debate with former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, insisting that the proposed engagement was never about political status but about comparing verifiable records of service .

This comes after Obi, in a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, dismissed an earlier invitation from Umahi, arguing that the minister must first become a presidential candidate before challenging him to such a debate.

Obi likened the situation to a football team that failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup challenging one that had earned its place in the tournament .

“If he is inviting me to a debate as a presidential candidate, then he has to become a presidential candidate first,” Obi had said . He maintained that presidential debates are traditionally reserved for candidates contesting the nation’s highest office .

But Umahi, in a statement issued through his media aide, Francis Nwaze, insisted that the debate was never about electoral status . “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 .

The Minister argued that his public service experience extends well beyond his tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State, citing his roles 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 .

“By contrast, Peter Obi’s highest elective public office and entire experience has been Governor of Anambra State. Beyond that, he has not held any other executive or legislative public office. Not party chairman, not minister, and never a senator,” the statement added .

Umahi highlighted landmark infrastructural projects executed during his administration in Ebonyi State, including roads, flyovers, bridges, an international airport, a teaching hospital, a university of health sciences, an ecumenical centre, and a shopping mall, among others.

He also pointed to ongoing federal road projects under his supervision, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway .

The Minister also criticised Obi’s emphasis on fiscal savings during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, arguing that governance should be assessed by tangible development and completed projects.

“Keeping money in the bank while leaving contractors unpaid and failing to complete meaningful, life-impacting projects cannot, by itself, be regarded as an achievement. Ultimately, leadership is measured by the tangible improvements it delivers to the lives of the people,” Umahi said .

Umahi further alleged that Obi governed Anambra State for most of his eight-year tenure without democratically elected local government chairmen, relying instead on caretaker committees until local government elections were held shortly before he left office .

The Minister maintained that he remains available for a debate on any credible platform, insisting that Nigerians deserve the opportunity to evaluate the records of those seeking public trust .

“One cannot credibly aspire to lead a nation as complex and demanding as Nigeria without a demonstrable record of performance as a governor,” the statement concluded .