Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stated the reason the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, declined to debate with him.
Speaking through his media aide, Francis Nwaze, in a statement on Sunday, the minister said Obi knew he would not be able to defend his record when compared with his own achievements in public office.
Umahi was reacting to comments recently made by Obi regarding the challenge.
The disagreement started from Umahi’s call for a public debate between both of them, who served two terms each as governors of their respective states.
Akelicious recalls that Peter Obi had earlier dismissed the invitation, arguing that presidential debates are meant for presidential candidates and not for individuals who are not contesting for the president’s seat.
The minister, however, insisted that the former Anambra state governor misunderstood the purpose of the challenge.
According to him, the debate was never about political status, future ambitions or electoral contests but designed to give Nigerians an opportunity to assess the records of two former governors and determine whose administration delivered greater results.
“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,” Umahi said.
