Minister of Works David Umahi recently explained why Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, chose not to engage him in a public debate. Through his media aide, Francis Nwaze, the minister suggested that Obi feared his past performance in office would not hold up against Umahi’s own record.
The tension between the two figures began when Umahi challenged Obi to a debate, citing their shared history of serving two terms as state governors. Obi rejected the invitation, asserting that presidential debates are intended for candidates running for office, a category Umahi currently does not fit into.
Umahi maintains that the former Anambra State governor misinterpreted the core intent of the invitation. He clarified that the proposed forum was intended to be an evaluation of administrative success rather than a political contest. The goal was to provide citizens a chance to compare the outcomes of their respective gubernatorial tenures. According to the minister, focusing on past governance remains a vital aspect of accountability that should transcend current electoral ambitions.
