- The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has openly dismissed the political influence of Peter Obi, stating that the former Anambra State Governor does not pose any threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- Umahi heavily criticized Obi’s executive record in Anambra State, questioning his moral authority to call for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation when he allegedly failed to develop key transport infrastructure during his own tenure.
- The minister described the structural momentum behind Peter Obi as “AI politics,” characterizing the online activities of the Obidient movement as an intolerant wave driven by digital threats and legal intimidation.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has firmly dismissed assertions that the former presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, poses a formidable political threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Eko Hot Blog reports that speaking during a live broadcast interview on Tuesday, the minister insisted that neither the presidency nor the ruling All Progressives Congress harbor any concerns regarding Obi’s growing political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The political space has witnessed fresh strategic realignments recently, with Peter Obi adopting the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his official running mate.
While political analysts have positioned the newly solidified duo as a potent opposition front capable of challenging the APC’s dominance, Umahi brushed aside their electoral prospects.
He maintained that the political structure surrounding Obi is built on fragile foundations that cannot withstand the administrative reality of the current government.
“Even I cannot be scared of Peter Obi, not to talk about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or our party, the APC. What displays around Peter Obi is AI politics. It is putting something on nothing. Nobody is scared of Peter Obi. He is not a threat to our president because Peter Obi himself knows very well that he cannot even face me, let alone face the president.” Senator David Umahi, Minister of Works said.
Shifting his focus to local governance records, the minister launched a direct attack on Obi’s historical performance as the executive governor of Anambra State.
Umahi argued that the opposition leader completely lacks the moral justification to demand President Tinubu’s resignation over current national challenges.
He questioned why Obi never deemed it fit to step down during his own gubernatorial tenure despite documented institutional deficiencies in Anambra, ranging from unfixed road networks and poor industrial capitalization to the total failure to establish operational airports or seaports.
Furthermore, Umahi expressed deep reservations regarding the behavioral patterns exhibited by members of the Obidient movement.
He accused the opposition leader’s support base of demonstrating extreme intolerance toward dissenting political opinions, alleging that anyone who disagrees with their ideology is immediately subjected to cyberbullying, legal threats, and malicious wishes.
He contrasted this with President Tinubu’s political tolerance, noting that despite constant public criticism, the president has never used judicial instruments to silence his detractors.
Addressing the ongoing economic reforms within the country, the minister pleaded for patience from citizens experiencing immediate hardships, explaining that structural problems accumulated by previous administrations cannot be fixed overnight.
He maintained that the Tinubu-led government is currently navigating the most difficult phase of economic recovery and challenged the opposition to an open debate on infrastructural indices.
According to Umahi, the ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms are already yielding initial dividends, making a second term for President Tinubu entirely justified.
