Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed suggestions that Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, poses a political threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Arise Television's Daybreak Show, Umahi said neither President Tinubu nor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is concerned about Obi's growing political profile.
"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."
The minister argued that Obi's political influence has been overstated and attributed much of his popularity to public perception rather than electoral strength.
Umahi also criticised Obi's record as governor of Anambra State, saying the former governor was not in a position to demand President Tinubu's resignation over Nigeria's current challenges.
"I read where it was said that Peter Obi said Tinubu should resign because of this, and I asked myself: How many times did Peter Obi resign as governor of Anambra State for failure to fix the roads, failure to establish industry, failure to empower people, failure to establish an airport, or failure to establish a seaport? Failure to pay contractors."
He further accused members of the Obidient Movement of intolerance towards opposing views, alleging that critics of Obi are frequently subjected to insults, threats and legal action.
"Look at the pattern of politics around Peter Obi. You disagree with him, then he takes you to court. How many times have you been abusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? How many people has he taken to court? Look at the Obidient movement. You disagree, they insult people, they wish people dead, they issue threats and all kinds of things. Is that the kind of behaviour we want?"
Umahi also defended the Tinubu administration's economic reforms, arguing that the government inherited longstanding structural problems that could not be resolved within three years.
"The darkest part of the night is the dawn. There were so many practices by the previous administration that occasioned us into what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited."
"When you are healing a wound, you don't expect the wound to heal overnight. An economy doesn't turn around instantly within three years."
The minister maintained that the administration's policies are beginning to produce results and expressed confidence that President Tinubu deserves a second term.
"Let people be fair, rather than just speaking because they want power. None of the political aspirants or candidates from other parties can do what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing. There are a lot of successes and reforms that are beginning to yield a lot of dividends. None of them can do what this man is doing."
