Umahi reacts after Peter Obi declined a debate with him

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reacted after the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, declined his invitation to a public debate.

In a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Obi said he would only hold a debate with presidential candidates and not political office holders. He asked Umahi to go and ‘’play within his circle” and call for a debate when he, Umahi becomes a presidential candidate. Read here. 

In a statement released on Sunday, Umahi said Obi refused to engage him in a debate because Obi knows he cannot compare the success of his administration as governor of Anambra state with his when he was governor of Ebonyi state.

“Many Nigerians expected what could have been one of the most consequential conversations on public service in recent times. Instead, 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.

If governance is measured by performance, political ambition should not prevent an honest comparison of records,” the statement read

Umahi argued that his public service experience spans beyond his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State. He mentioned that aside from being a governor, he has served as state party chairman, deputy governor, governor, Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Co-Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, senator, and Minister of Works. According to him, these are roles Obi has never held.

“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. At every stage, Umahi’s leadership was tested through elections, public scrutiny and increasing national responsibility,” the statement added