BREAKING: Umahi chides Obi for skipping debate, says invitation remains open

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Minister of Works David Umahi has defended his challenge to presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to a public debate on governance and infrastructure, insisting the invitation was about comparing records of public service rather than political status.

The exchange followed Obi’s remarks during an interview in which he declined Umahi’s invitation to debate, arguing that the Minister was not a presidential candidate and therefore not his political peer.

Speaking in the interview, Obi likened the proposed debate to “a team that failed to qualify for the World Cup wanting to play against a team that qualified,” maintaining that it would not be appropriate for him to engage in such a contest.

Umahi, however, rejected the argument in a statement issued on Sunday through his Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, titled “Umahi vs Obi: The Performance Debate Obi Declined, Knowing He Could Not Win.”

According to the Minister, the proposed debate was never intended to focus on political ambition or party affiliation but on governance, accountability and measurable performance in public office.

“In politics, narratives may shape public opinion, but history is ultimately written by records of service. Campaign slogans change, but tangible achievements endure,” the statement said.

Umahi argued that many Nigerians had expected what he described as an important national conversation on leadership and governance.

“Mr Obi declined the invitation, explaining that he is currently a presidential candidate while Senator Umahi is not. Yet the challenge was never about electoral status. It was about accountability. It was about inviting two former governors to present their records before Nigerians and allow the public to judge whose leadership produced the greater impact,” he said.

The Minister maintained that governance should be assessed on verifiable achievements rather than political titles.

“If governance is measured by performance, political ambition should not prevent an honest comparison of records. Senator Umahi’s invitation was straightforward: place the evidence on the table and let Nigerians decide,” the statement added.

Umahi also contrasted his public service career with that of the former Anambra State governor, arguing that his experience spans several levels of government.

According to him, before entering politics, he built a successful private sector career before serving as State Chairman of a ruling political party, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Governor, Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Co-Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Senator and now Minister of Works.

The statement noted that Obi’s highest elective office was Governor of Anambra State, adding that he had not served as a minister, senator or party chairman.

Highlighting his record as Governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi cited the construction of extensive concrete road networks, flyovers, bridges, hospitals, schools, markets and other public infrastructure.

Among the projects listed were the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, the Ebonyi Shopping Mall, the Ecumenical Centre, the New Government House, the Margaret Umahi International Market, the revitalised Fertiliser Blending Plant and more than 20 flyovers across the state.

The Minister also pointed to his current role overseeing major federal infrastructure projects under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Calabar-Abuja Super Highway and the rehabilitation of strategic federal roads nationwide.

Describing the projects as visible evidence of performance, Umahi argued that Nigerians should assess leaders based on tangible outcomes rather than campaign rhetoric.

The statement further challenged Obi’s repeated emphasis on the financial savings accumulated during his administration in Anambra State.

While acknowledging that fiscal discipline is an important aspect of governance, Umahi argued that leadership should also be measured by physical infrastructure, institutional development and improvements in citizens’ quality of life.

“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,” he said.

Umahi also criticised Obi’s administration for operating for most of its tenure without democratically elected local government chairmen, relying instead on caretaker committees until local government elections were conducted shortly before he left office in 2014.

Reaffirming his earlier challenge, the Minister said he remains prepared to participate in a public debate on any credible platform.

“The debate would not have been about personalities or political parties. It would have focused on verifiable outcomes — roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, public institutions, urban renewal, economic development and the lasting impact of governance.

“Senator Umahi remains ready to participate in such a debate on any credible platform, convinced that leadership is ultimately measured by the enduring value created for the people,” the statement added.