Minister of Works, David Umahi, has alleged that former Anambra State Governor and presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, turned down his invitation to a public debate because he believed he could not successfully defend his record in office against his own.
Umahi made the assertion in a statement released on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, in response to Obi’s recent comments dismissing the minister’s challenge.
The minister had invited Obi to a public debate centred on their performances during their respective tenures as governors. Both men served two terms as governors before moving on to other political engagements.
Obi, however, rejected the invitation during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, arguing that Umahi should first become a presidential candidate before calling him to such a debate.
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According to Obi, presidential debates are reserved for presidential candidates. He compared the situation to a football team that qualified for the FIFA World Cup being challenged by one that failed to qualify.
Reacting to Obi’s remarks, Umahi maintained that the proposed debate had nothing to do with political ambition or electoral status but was intended to allow Nigerians to assess their records in public office.
“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.
“Yet the challenge was never about electoral status. It was about accountability. 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,” the statement said.
Umahi further argued that his public service experience surpassed that of the former Anambra governor, listing his previous positions as state party chairman, deputy governor, governor, Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Co-Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, senator and currently Minister of Works.
“By contrast, Peter Obi’s highest elective public office and entire experience has been Governor of Anambra State. Beyond that, he has not held any other executive or legislative public office. Not party chairman, not minister, and never a senator.
“At every stage, Umahi’s leadership was tested through elections, public scrutiny and increasing national responsibility,” the statement added.
The minister also pointed to infrastructure projects undertaken during his administration in Ebonyi State, including roads, bridges, flyovers, hospitals and schools, as well as ongoing federal road projects being executed under his supervision as Minister of Works.
He also criticised Obi’s emphasis on financial prudence during his tenure in Anambra State, insisting that governance should be judged by visible development rather than savings alone.
“Keeping money in the bank while leaving contractors unpaid and failing to complete meaningful, life-impacting projects cannot, by itself, be regarded as an achievement. Ultimately, leadership is measured by the tangible improvements it delivers to the lives of the people,” the statement said.
Umahi further alleged that Obi administered Anambra State for much of his eight-year tenure without democratically elected local government chairmen, relying instead on caretaker committees until local government elections were conducted shortly before he left office.
Reaffirming his readiness for the proposed engagement, the minister said he remained available to debate Obi on any credible platform.
“One cannot credibly aspire to lead a nation as complex and demanding as Nigeria without a demonstrable record of performance as a governor.
“Likewise, it is difficult to convince Nigerians that you are prepared to challenge an administration led by a focused and determined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when you are not even a match and cannot stand a debate with one of the key leaders of that administration on the basis of verifiable performance and achievements.
“Nigerians deserve the opportunity to evaluate records,” the statement added.
