‘I don’t need to be presidential candidate to educate you’ – Umahi hits back at Peter Obi
Nigerian Minister Responds to Presidential Candidate Peter Obi on Infrastructure Issues
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has publicly responded to criticisms from presidential candidate Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Umahi asserted that one does not need to hold a presidential candidacy to offer insights on infrastructure development.
Addressing reporters at a construction site on Sunday, Umahi defended the ongoing infrastructure initiatives being undertaken by the Tinubu administration. He emphasized his commitment to seeing these projects through to completion.
“I invited my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, for a debate about my work. He indicated that I am not a presidential candidate. I countered that when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on the ballot, I am on the ballot as well, because I want these projects to continue,” Umahi stated.
He expressed a desire for collaborative progress, saying, “I want all of us to win with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu so that he can continue.”
Umahi dismissed the significance of presidential candidacy as an achievement, noting, “There are various levels of candidates. I consider myself above the level he occupies.”
Furthermore, he criticized Obi for highlighting issues at construction sites without offering solutions. “To visit a site in disrepair and simply point out the flaws serves little purpose. It’s akin to a turtle emerging from its shell only to complain,” he remarked.
“I do not need to be a presidential candidate to teach you, as a professor, about infrastructure,” Umahi concluded.
