Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has rejected claims that Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), is superior to him in terms of background, intellectual capacity or public service.
Umahi made the remarks on Thursday in Benin City, Edo State, during the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event.
The minister was responding to comments suggesting that Obi was not his “match”, saying he had taken time to consider whether there were areas in which the former Anambra State governor could be regarded as superior to him.
He asked those making such comparisons to place their respective backgrounds, intellectual capacity, records of service and contributions to the South-East side by side.
“Put it side by side and tell me what Peter Obi is better than this Dave Umahi. You can’t be tackling counsel without knowledge,” he said.
Umahi also defended members of President Bola Tinubu’s administration against criticism from opposition figures, saying those challenging the President should expect responses from government officials.
“If you are challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President is working and is using us to work and you expect us to keep quiet, we are not keeping quiet,” he said.
The minister further argued that the question of an Igbo presidency should be viewed within the current political context.
According to him, although an Igbo person would eventually become president, he believes the presidency currently belongs to Tinubu.
“What we are saying is that it is not the turn of Igbos yet. I heard today one charlatan saying, ‘the Igbos can never be president’. That cannot be true. One day we will become president, but it is not yet our turn. It is the turn of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Umahi said.
Benin-Asaba road
On the Benin-Asaba Road, Umahi said the Federal Government had decided to intervene in the reconstruction of the 136-kilometre road following difficulties with the concession arrangement.
He said the concessionaire had rejected options proposed by the government for continuing the project.
Umahi said President Tinubu had consequently directed that the road be redesigned with reinforced concrete pavement, adding that immediate intervention would begin with the Benin Bypass.
“The President has directed whether under concessioning or under the takeover of the Ministry of Works that the entire 136km dualisation should be redesigned on reinforced concrete pavement,” he said.
The minister added that the government had defined the project and would commence immediate intervention on the Benin Bypass.