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Umahi: Why Peter Obi Turned Down the Debate Challenge
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, declined his invitation to a public debate because he believed he could not defend his record in office against his own.
Umahi made the assertion in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, in response to Obi’s remarks rejecting the proposed debate.
The minister had challenged Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, to a public discussion comparing their performances during their respective tenures as governors. Umahi served two terms as governor of Ebonyi State before becoming a senator and later Minister of Works.
Obi, speaking during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, dismissed the invitation, saying presidential debates are reserved for presidential candidates. He argued that Umahi should first emerge as a presidential candidate before seeking such an engagement.
The former Anambra governor likened the situation to a football team that qualified for the FIFA World Cup being challenged by one that failed to qualify.
Responding, Umahi said the proposed debate was never about political ambition but about accountability and governance.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.”
Umahi further argued that his public service experience extends beyond his tenure as governor, 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.
He contrasted this with Obi’s political career, noting that the former Anambra governor’s highest elective office remains governor.
The minister also highlighted infrastructure projects executed during his administration in Ebonyi State, including roads, bridges, flyovers, hospitals and schools, as well as ongoing federal road projects under his supervision as Minister of Works.
He criticised Obi’s emphasis on fiscal prudence during his administration, arguing that governance should be judged by tangible development and completed projects rather than financial savings alone.
Umahi further alleged that Obi governed Anambra State for most of his tenure without democratically elected local government chairmen, relying instead on caretaker committees until shortly before leaving office.
Reaffirming his readiness for a public debate, the minister said Nigerians deserve the opportunity to assess the records of those seeking leadership positions.
He added that anyone aspiring to lead Nigeria should be willing to subject their performance in public office to public scrutiny, maintaining that governance should be evaluated on verifiable achievements rather than political status.