Minister of Works, David Umahi, has accused former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of attempting to mislead members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), while expressing disappointment over reports that Obi may have vowed to halt some of President Bola Tinubu’s legacy infrastructure projects if elected.
Speaking during an engagement on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway project, Umahi described the alleged position as “painful” and contrary to the developmental aspirations of Nigerians.
“When my brother Peter Obi said, as I saw on social media, that he would stop the legacy projects, that was a very painful statement. I hope he didn’t say so. But I know Nigerians will reject that position,” Umahi said.
The minister stressed that honesty remains one of the values he holds dearly in public service.
“One of the things I hate most is deceit,” he stated.
Reflecting on his relationship with Obi, Umahi recalled serving as Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State during Obi’s tenure as Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum.
“I was Deputy Governor when my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, was Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum. I know his position on IPOB. I know the disagreement between him and Nnamdi Kanu. I know his feelings and the actions he took, which he was entitled to take,” Umahi said.
He, however, faulted Obi for what he described as an unwillingness to openly acknowledge his past actions and positions regarding IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
“But he should be man enough to own those actions and not come before Nigerians and say, ‘Oh, this man did not say anything. He was just talking,’ as though it was harmless,” he added.
Umahi, who also served as Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, said leaders in the region have continued to pursue peace and political solutions to challenges affecting the Southeast.
“The governors of the Southeast are doing everything possible, and we are supporting them in ensuring a peaceful Southeast while also exploring political ways of helping our brother, Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
The minister further accused Obi of failing to speak out during periods of heightened insecurity in the Southeast, particularly over the enforcement of the controversial Monday sit-at-home order.
“Nobody should joke with the thousands of Southeast people who were killed in the process. He has not been honest with our people. People sit at home every Monday, and he has not spoken against it. He simply wants to become President by all means, and that is not good for our people. Let us know the truth. Deceit will not help us,” Umahi said.
Turning to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, the Works Minister described the project as a testament to President Tinubu’s long-term vision for economic growth and national development.
“This project that someone is said to have promised to stop, and I hope he never said so, is highly innovative. I only saw it on social media,” he noted.
Umahi challenged members of the Obedient Movement to compare the records of President Tinubu and Peter Obi during their respective tenures as governors.
“I have challenged the Obedient Movement to compare President Bola Tinubu’s record as Governor of Lagos State with that of Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State. Let us see the master plans each of them created. Let us see the projects that lived beyond their tenure,” he said.
“Today, we are standing on the Coastal Highway, which shows the vision of President Bola Tinubu beyond his time as Governor.”
According to him, development opportunities that could have transformed the Southeast were not fully explored in the past.
“We had opportunities such as dredging the River Niger. If that had happened earlier, as is being pursued now, it would have helped the Southeast tremendously. We would have built bigger roads and delivered more infrastructure,” he stated.
Umahi also reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu, revealing that the president had recently been adopted politically in Ebonyi State.
“We recently adopted President Tinubu in Ebonyi State. I will not stop speaking. I will not stop defending Nigerians and our people,” he declared.
The minister went further to dismiss suggestions that the Obedient Movement enjoys significant political influence in Ebonyi State, insisting that the state remains firmly aligned with the Tinubu administration.
“I want everybody to know that Ebonyi is not for the Obedient Movement. Our loyalty is to President Bola Tinubu, and so is that of the entire Southeast. People will see it,” Umahi said.
Concluding his remarks, Umahi expressed confidence in the political future of the region and the country under Tinubu’s leadership.
“Mark my words. I am also a prophet and a priest. Mark my words, and it will come to pass by the power of God,” he said.
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