Umahi Peter Obi Debate dispute deepens as the Works Minister explains why he believes the former Anambra governor rejected his challenge
Minister of Works David Umahi has explained why Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), declined an invitation for a public debate, claiming the former Anambra State governor was unwilling to defend his record in office.
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Umahi made the statement through his media aide, Francis Nwaze, in a statement released on Sunday, 12 July 2026, while responding to comments from Obi over the proposed debate.
The disagreement began after Umahi challenged Obi to a public discussion on their respective records as former governors who each served two terms in their states.
Obi, however, rejected the invitation, arguing that presidential debates are designed for candidates contesting the presidency rather than individuals holding other political positions.
Umahi disagreed with Obi’s reasoning, insisting that the proposed meeting was not linked to electoral contests or future political ambitions but was intended to allow Nigerians to compare the achievements of two former governors.
“The challenge was never about electoral status. It was about accountability. It was about inviting two former governors to present their records before Nigerians and allow the public to judge whose leadership produced the greater impact,” Umahi said.
The minister argued that public service performance should be open to scrutiny regardless of whether individuals are currently seeking political office.
According to Umahi, the discussion would have provided an opportunity for citizens to assess the policies, projects and outcomes recorded during both administrations.
“If governance is measured by performance, political ambition should not prevent an honest comparison of records,” he added.
Obi, who previously served as governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2013, has remained a prominent figure in Nigerian politics following his 2023 presidential campaign.
Umahi, who governed Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023 before joining the federal cabinet, has also continued to highlight his record in infrastructure development, particularly in his current role as Minister of Works.
The exchange between the two politicians comes as political discussions intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with public debates over leadership records, governance performance and accountability expected to remain central issues.
