Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed claims that former Anambra State governor Peter Obi poses a political challenge to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting Obi is not a threat to either the president or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Arise Television’s Daybreak Show on Tuesday, Umahi said Obi’s perceived political strength was largely driven by hype rather than reality.
“Even I cannot be scared of Peter Obi, not to talk about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or our party, the APC. What displays around Peter Obi is AI politics. It is putting something on nothing. Nobody is scared of Peter Obi. He is not a threat to our president because Peter Obi himself knows very well that he cannot even face me, let alone face the president,” Umahi said.
The minister also criticised Obi’s eight-year tenure as governor of Anambra State, arguing that the former Labour Party presidential candidate lacked the moral standing to demand Tinubu’s resignation over the country’s current challenges.
“I read where it was said that Peter Obi said Tinubu should resign because of this, and I asked myself: How many times did Peter Obi resign as governor of Anambra State for failure to fix the roads, failure to establish industry, failure to empower people, failure to establish an airport, or failure to establish a seaport? Failure to pay contractors,” he said.
Umahi further accused members of the Obidient movement of intolerance, alleging that those who disagree with Obi are often subjected to insults, threats and legal action.
“Look at the pattern of politics around Peter Obi. You disagree with him, then he takes you to court. How many times have you been abusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? How many people has he taken to court? … Look at the Obidient movement. You disagree, they insult people, they wish people dead, they issue threats and all kinds of things. Is that the kind of behaviour we want?” he said.
The minister also challenged Obi’s supporters to debate him on the performance of the Tinubu administration, insisting the government’s reforms could withstand public scrutiny.
On the economy, Umahi argued that the current administration inherited long-standing structural problems that could not be resolved within three years.
“The darkest part of the night is the dawn. There were so many practices by the previous administration that occasioned us into what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited.
“For those who are crying of hunger, put all the indices on the table. Is it road infrastructure? Is it education? Is it health? Which one has gone worse than how the president inherited it? When you are healing a wound, you don’t expect the wound to heal overnight. An economy doesn’t turn around instantly within three years,” he said.
Umahi maintained that Tinubu deserves a second term, arguing that the administration’s economic reforms are beginning to produce results.
“Ket people be fair, rather than just speaking because they want power. None of the political aspirants or candidates from other parties can do what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing. There are a lot of successes and reforms that are beginning to yield a lot of dividends. None of them can do what this man is doing,” he added.
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