Minister of Works, David Umahi, has claimed that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi declined his invitation to a public debate because he knew he could not successfully defend his record in office against his.
Umahi made the assertion in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, while responding to Obi’s recent remarks dismissing the proposed debate.
The minister had challenged Obi to a public engagement comparing their respective performances as governors, noting that both served two terms as state chief executives.
However, Obi, speaking during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, dismissed the challenge, insisting that presidential debates are meant for presidential candidates.
The former Anambra State governor likened the situation to a football team that qualified for the FIFA World Cup being challenged by one that failed to qualify.
Responding, Umahi said the proposed debate had nothing to do with presidential ambition but was about accountability and measurable performance 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.”
The minister argued that governance should be judged by results rather than political status.
Umahi also contrasted his public service career with Obi’s, noting that beyond serving as Governor of Anambra State, Obi had not held any executive or legislative public office.
According to him, he had served as state party chairman, deputy governor, governor, Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Co-Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, senator and now Minister of Works.
He further cited infrastructure projects executed during his administration in Ebonyi State, including roads, bridges, flyovers, hospitals and schools, as well as ongoing federal highway projects under his supervision as Minister of Works.
The minister also criticised Obi’s often-cited record of leaving substantial savings in Anambra State’s treasury, arguing that fiscal prudence alone was not enough to define successful governance.
“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,” the statement said.
Umahi further alleged that Obi governed Anambra State for most of his tenure without democratically elected local government chairmen, relying instead on caretaker committees until shortly before leaving office.
Reaffirming his willingness to participate in the debate, the minister said Nigerians deserve an opportunity to compare the performance records of those seeking or influencing national leadership.
“One cannot credibly aspire to lead a nation as complex and demanding as Nigeria without a demonstrable record of performance as a governor,” he said, adding that leadership should ultimately be judged by verifiable achievements rather than political rhetoric.
