Minister Umahi: Peter Obi Not My Superior in Any Aspect

The current Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has firmly rejected assertions suggesting that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), holds any advantage over him. Speaking in Benin City on Thursday, September 24, Umahi stated unequivocally that he sees no area where Obi could be considered more accomplished or capable than himself. He emphasized that their respective backgrounds, intellectual capabilities, and track records of public service are entirely comparable.

Umahi expressed strong disagreement with the notion that Obi was not his 'match,' explaining that he pondered for a significant period whether such a comparison could genuinely be justified. He reflected on various aspects, including their family histories, intellectual prowess, and the contributions they made to the South-East region, particularly during their tenures as governors.

“And when that guy says that Peter Obi is not my match, it took me ten minutes to think about it; is it in my larger family background that his is better than my own? Is it in intellectual capacity? Is it in what we have done for the people of South-East? Is it what we did when we were governors? So, when you say he is not a match, put it side by side and tell me what Peter Obi is better than this Dave Umahi. You can’t be tackling counsel without knowledge,” Umahi asserted.

Furthermore, the Minister used the opportunity to comment on the broader political landscape, particularly regarding the Igbo presidency. He reiterated his stance that it is currently not the turn of the Igbos to hold the presidential office. Umahi also referenced a recent comment he heard from someone he described as a “charlatan,” who claimed that Igbos could never become president. He dismissed this, saying, “That can will not be alive when the Igbos become president because we will one day become president but it is not yet our turn, it is the turn of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”