Minister of works, Senator David Umahi, has launched a blistering attack on former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, declaring that no politician can become President through deceit and accusing the Labour Party leader of failing to be truthful with Nigerians on critical national issues.
Umahi made the remarks on Friday while inspecting Section Two of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway in Epe, Lagos State, according to a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze.
The minister said he was disturbed by reports circulating on social media alleging that Obi had promised to halt President Bola Tinubu’s legacy infrastructure projects if elected President, describing a position as unacceptable if it was indeed made.
“When my brother Peter Obi said, as I saw on social media, that he would stop the legacy projects, that was a very painful statement. I hope he didn’t say so. But I know Nigerians will reject that position,” Umahi said.
He maintained that honesty, accountability and a verifiable record of public service remain the foundation of credible leadership, insisting that “one of the things I hate most is deceit.”
Drawing from their time in Anambra State politics, Umahi said he served as Deputy Governor while Obi was Governor and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, adding that he was familiar with Obi’s position on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
According to him, Obi should take responsibility for decisions he made while in office instead of distancing himself from them before Nigerians.
The minister also faulted Obi’s handling of issues affecting the Southeast, particularly the Monday sit-at-home order, saying the former governor had failed to openly condemn actions that claimed thousands of lives and crippled economic activities in the region.
“Nobody should joke with the thousands of Southeast people who were killed in the process. He has not been honest with our people. People sit at home every Monday, and he has not spoken against it. He simply wants to become President by all means, and that is not good for our people. Let us know the truth. Deceit will not help us,” he said.
Umahi argued that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway reflects President Tinubu’s long-term vision for national development, stressing that the project would stand as one of the administration’s enduring legacies.
He challenged members of the Obedient Movement to compare Tinubu’s achievements as Governor of Lagos State with Obi’s record as Governor of Anambra State, saying Nigerians should judge both leaders by the master plans they created and projects that survived beyond their tenure.
The minister further said ongoing infrastructure initiatives, including efforts to improve the River Niger corridor, would unlock significant economic opportunities for the Southeast and the country if fully realised.
Reaffirming his political support for President Tinubu, Umahi disclosed that Ebonyi State had already endorsed the President’s second-term bid, insisting he would continue defending the administration and its policies.
“I want everybody to know that Ebonyi is not for the Obedient Movement. Our loyalty is to President Bola Tinubu, and so is that of the entire Southeast. People will see it,” he declared.
