The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has denied allegations that he has been attacking supporters of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, popularly known as Obidients, insisting that he merely urged people in the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
Umahi made the clarification in a video interview shared on Facebook on Friday, while reacting to criticism that followed his recent political comments.
The minister said the backlash from some Obidients did not bother him, adding that it showed his message was gaining attention.
“I saw what they said to me; they have been insulting me, but honestly, I enjoyed it because it shows that what I’m doing is touching them,” he said.
He, however, noted that some of the reactions had been constructive, with critics accusing him of attacking individuals rather than engaging in political advocacy.
According to Umahi, his remarks were never intended as a personal attack.
“I’m not attacking anybody. I’m asking people in the South-East and Nigeria to vote for President Bola Tinubu, and I have my facts,” he said.
The minister also dismissed calls for a public debate with Senator Adams Oshiomhole over the condition of a federal highway, saying he would rather discuss the issue privately out of respect for the former Edo State governor.
“I cannot debate with Oshiomhole. I can reason with him. He’s my senior in governance, my senior in the legislature and a very good friend,” Umahi said.
He explained that the road in question, stretching from Lokoja through Benin to Warri, was awarded in 2018 during Oshiomhole’s tenure as governor of Edo State.
Umahi said he had expected parts of the road to have been completed before the end of Oshiomhole’s administration.
“The road he is talking about was awarded in 2018 when he was still in office. I expected him to have constructed part of that federal road,” he said.
The minister added that he was not complaining but was drawing attention to his own record of executing several federal road projects while serving as governor of Ebonyi State without seeking recognition.
“I did a lot of federal roads when I was governor. I didn’t complain,” he said.
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