The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has dismissed suggestions that he is not on the same level as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
Speaking on Thursday in Benin City at the ‘Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road’ event, Umahi said there was no area in which Obi could be considered superior to him, arguing that their backgrounds, intellectual capacity and records of service could be compared.
Referring to comments by one Awuzi, who he said had accused the Igbo of insulting Obi, Umahi said he did not believe any reasonable person would insult the former Anambra State governor.
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.
“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.
“If you are challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the president is working and is using us to work and you expect us to keep quiet, we are not keeping quiet. When you condemn people you bring judgement upon yourself. When you say you are holier than angels, we have to analyze to know if it is true,” Umahi said.
Umahi also took exception to the suggestion that Obi was not his “match”, saying he considered whether such a comparison could be justified based on their family backgrounds, intellectual capacity and contributions to the South-East.
“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 Igbos yet. I heard in today’s this thing one charlatan that was saying ‘oh no, the Igbos can never be president’. That can 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.
Benin-Asaba Road Intervention
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.
“And it’s very unfortunate that every three beautiful options we gave to the concessionaire for the continuation of the so-called agreement failed. However, every disappointment can turn a blessing.
“The President has directed whether under concessioning or under the takeover of the Ministry of Works that the entire 136km dualisation should be redesigned on reinforced concrete pavement. So, we have defined the project, there is going to be immediate intervention in the Benin Bypass.”
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