Umahi Replies Critics, Says Peter Obi Not Better Than Me
The former governor of Ebonyi State and Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has dismissed claims that he is not on the same level as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
Umahi, who spoke on Thursday at the ‘Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road’ event, in Benin City, said there was no area in which Obi could be considered superior to him.
The former governor argued that their backgrounds, intellectual capacity and records of service could be compared.
He made this remark in reaction to a statement by one Awuzi, who he said accused the Igbo of insulting Obi, saying he did not believe any reasonable person would insult Obi.
He, however, described Obi as “a lucky person” and questioned why those who challenge President Bola Tinubu should expect him and other members of the administration to remain silent while defending the President’s record.
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“One Awuzi said that ‘oh, the Igbos are insulting Peter Obi’. I don’t think any reasonable person will insult Peter Obi, but I want to say that Peter Obi is a lucky person because when you tell people to go and verify, and they verify, and there is nothing they see. Some people are still talking and talking.
“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.
“What we are saying is that it is not the turn of the Igbos yet. I heard in today’s thing one charlatan who was saying, ‘Oh no, the Igbos can never be president’.
“That man 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,” Umahi said.
Speaking on the deplorable state of the Benin-Asaba Road, Umahi said the Federal Government had decided to intervene temporarily in the reconstruction of the road.
He expressed disappointment that the concessionaire rejected what he described as “Very beautiful options” offered by the Federal Government for the continuation of the agreement.
However, Umahi said the setback had presented an opportunity for a new approach, revealing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that the 136-kilometre dualisation of the road be redesigned with reinforced concrete pavement.
